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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2023 Mar 1.
Published in final edited form as: Trends Microbiol. 2021 Jul 14;30(3):254–267. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2021.06.011

Figure 1. Glycointeractions in bacterial pathogenesis.

Figure 1.

(A) Bacterial surface glycans play a vital role in adherence and colonization on host cells, which in some cases results in bacterial invasion of host cells. Bacterial glycans are also crucial for biofilm formation. (B) Some bacterial pathogens express molecular mimicry of host glycans on their cell surface (bacteria with pink hexagons) that can disguise themselves from host immune surveillance. Some bacteria cover their cell surface with layers of glycans [capsular polysaccharide (CPS), light pink and/or pink hexagons] to hamper host recognition of common pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). In comparison, the recognition of PAMPs (green hexagons) and downstream immune responses is depicted in the right half of the graphic. (C) Many bacterial pathogens and toxins are equipped with lectin-like features that recognize specific host glycans (depicted as a gray rod in the left panel or gray rod with codes for N-glycans in the right) expressed on a set of host cells for their colonization and/or virulence. (D) Conversely, host immune cells can utilize bacterial glycans as molecular patterns to trigger bactericidal immune responses (depicted in the left) and host glycans (blue), resulting in various immune responses and/or pathogen clearance. Multiple pathogens have developed evasion strategies. This review discusses the mechanisms involved.

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