Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, 12180-3590, U.S.A.; Drughoming Ltd, Rehovot, Israel.
Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc. 2013 Nov;88(4):928-43. doi: 10.1111/brv.12034. Epub 2013 Mar 29.
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are complex carbohydrates that are ubiquitously present on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix. Interactions between GAGs and pathogens represent the first line of contact between pathogen and host cell and are crucial to a pathogen's invasive potential. Their complexity and structural diversity allow GAGs to control a wide array of biological interactions influencing many physiological and pathological processes, including adhesion, cell-to-cell communication, biochemical cascades, and the immune response. In recent years, increasing evidence indicates an extraordinary role for GAGs in the pathogenesis of viruses, bacteria and parasites. Herein, we examine the interface between GAGs and different pathogens, and address the divergent biological functions of GAGs in infectious disease. We consider approaches to use this understanding to design novel therapeutic strategies addressing new challenges in the treatment of infectious diseases.
糖胺聚糖（GAGs）是广泛存在于细胞表面和细胞外基质中的复杂碳水化合物。GAGs 与病原体之间的相互作用代表了病原体与宿主细胞之间的第一道接触，对于病原体的侵袭潜力至关重要。它们的复杂性和结构多样性使 GAGs 能够控制广泛的生物相互作用，影响许多生理和病理过程，包括粘附、细胞间通讯、生化级联和免疫反应。近年来，越来越多的证据表明 GAGs 在病毒、细菌和寄生虫的发病机制中起着非凡的作用。本文研究了 GAGs 与不同病原体之间的界面，并探讨了 GAGs 在传染病中的不同生物学功能。我们考虑了利用这一认识来设计新的治疗策略，以应对传染病治疗中的新挑战。
