Figure 2.

Insertion of α-gal glycolipids into the lipid bilayer of tumor cell membranes. α-gal glycolipid molecules dissolve in water or saline as micelles (ball like structures with the cross-section described in this figure) in which the hydrophobic (lipophilic) ceramide chains are clustered in the core. When these micelles are adjacent to cells, individual α-gal glycolipid molecules “jump” into the outer leaflet of the cell lipid bilayer, because the energetic state of the ceramide tail surrounded by phospholipids is much more stable than in micelles surrounded by water. α-gal glycolipid insertion into the tumor cell membrane results in expression of α-gal epitopes on the cell. Binding of the natural anti-Gal antibody to these epitopes leads to destruction of tumor cells and their uptake by APC.