IgG glycan hydrolysis by a bacterial enzyme as a therapy against autoimmune conditions

davidd submitted, created time 8 months 1 day (www.pnas.org)

EndoS from Streptococcus pyogenes efficiently hydrolyzes the functionally important and conserved N-linked glycan of IgG in human blood. Repeated i.v. administration of EndoS in rabbits completely hydrolyzes the glycans of the whole IgG pool, despite the generation of anti-EndoS antibodies. EndoS administration had no apparent effects on the health of the animals. EndoS hydrolysis of the IgG glycan has profound effects on IgG effector functions, such as complement activation and Fc receptor binding, suggesting that the enzyme could be used as an immunomodulatory therapeutic agent against IgG-mediated diseases.

Keywords: Streptococcus pyogenes endoglycosidase glycosylation IgG immunomodulation autoimmunity