The lipid globotriaosylceramide promotes germinal center B cell responses and antiviral immunity.

Influenza viruses escape immunity owing to rapid antigenic evolution, which requires vaccination strategies that allow for broadly protective antibody responses. We found that the lipid globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) expressed on germinal center (GC) B cells is essential for the production of high-affinity antibodies. Mechanistically, Gb3 bound and disengaged CD19 from its chaperone CD81, permitting CD19 to translocate to the B cell receptor complex to trigger signaling.

The lipid Gb3 promotes germinal center B cell responses and anti-viral immunity.

Unlabelled: Influenza viruses escape immunity due to rapid antigenic evolution, which requires vaccination strategies that allow for broadly protective antibody responses. Here, we demonstrate that the lipid globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) expressed on germinal center (GC) B cells is essential for the production of high-affinity antibodies. Mechanistically, Gb3 binds and disengages CD19 from its chaperone CD81 for subsequent translocation to the B cell receptor (BCR) complex to trigger signaling.

The Tip of O-Polysaccharide Is a Potent Epitope in Response to Brucellosis Infection and Enables Short Synthetic Antigens to Be Superior Diagnostic Reagents.

Brucellosis is a global disease and the world's most prevalent zoonosis. All cases in livestock and most cases in humans are caused by members of the genus that possess a surface O-polysaccharide (OPS) comprised of a rare monosaccharide 4-deoxy-4-formamido-D-mannopyranose assembled with α1,2 and α1,3 linkages. The OPS of the bacterium is the basis for serodiagnostic tests for brucellosis.

A Three Component Synthetic Vaccine Containing a β-Mannan T-Cell Peptide Epitope and a β-Glucan Dendritic Cell Ligand.

Glycoconjugates prepared from the capsular polysaccharide of several pathogenic bacteria and carrier proteins, such as CRM 197 or tetanus toxoid, have been one of the most successful public health measures to be implemented in the last quarter century. A crucial element in the success of conjugate vaccines has been the recruitment of T-cell help and systematic induction of a secondary immune response. The seminal discovery, that degraded polysaccharide fragments with attached peptide are presented to the T-cell receptor of carbohydrate specific T-cells by MHC-II molecules that bind to the peptide component of degraded vaccine, suggests potentially novel designs for conjugate vaccines.

Brucellosis: Improved Diagnostics and Vaccine Insights from Synthetic Glycans.

Brucellosis is a serious zoonotic bacterial disease that is ranked by the World Health Organization among the top seven "neglected zoonoses" that threaten human health and cause poverty. It is a costly, highly contagious disease that affects ruminants, cattle, sheep, goats, and other productive animals such as pigs. Symptoms include abortions, infertility, decreased milk production, weight loss, and lameness.