Immunology of gangliosides.
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2000-04-24
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This review discusses the immunology of gangliosides from the perspective of tumor, neuronal and general immunology. Antiganglioside antibodies in human sera are invariably IgM and are found in healthy individuals. Their titers decline with age. Persistent high titer of IgM is associated with several diseases, particularly neuropathies. Membrane-bound gangliosides are important tumor-associated antigens and targets for immune attack. Cells enriched with gangliosides can be used as cancer vaccines. Efficacy of these vaccines depends on the viability of whole cells, integrity of the cell membranes, adjuvants and topography of the tumor-associated antigens. The role of antiganglioside IgM is to eliminate the immunosuppressive gangliosides shed from tissues during ageing, degeneration of neural and extraneural tissues, and tumor growth and necrosis. In addition, in vitro observations with human and murine monoclonal antibodies suggest that they are capable of complement dependent cytotoxicity and apoptosis.
Description
67 references.
Keywords
Citation
Ravindranath MH, Gonzales AM, Nishimoto K, Tam WY, Soh D, Morton DL. Immunology of gangliosides. Indian Journal of Experimental Biology. 2000 Apr; 38(4): 301-12