Research Lab

Glycoimmunology

29679

Lab Members

Research Interests

The Glycoimmunology research lab employs unique molecular and biological methods combined with patient-centric approaches to disentangle biological mechanisms modulated by glycosylation and novel glycan-based therapies.

Our particular focus has been on sialylated glycans that affect the function of relevant cell surface molecules. We developed technologies to alter sialic acid contents and a multi-modular platform for high-throughput development of anti-glycan antibodies, with potential clinical application.

We collaborate extensively with pharmaceuticals and patient associations to translate into therapies for cancer and congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG).

Research Highlights

Understanding the role of sialic acid containing glycans in cancer and congenital disorders of glycosylation to identify new therapeutic strategies

Our seminal studies identified relevant glycans biomarkers in cancer which fueled the interest in clinics. We developed antisialyl Tn antibodies that selectively target cancer cells and reduce tumour burden in preclinical settings. They are now being explored by CellmAbs pharmaceutical as immune oncology agents.

Our observations that sialic acid modulates the potency of dendritic cells and MHC-I turnover pinpointed new disease mechanisms and paved the development of innovative therapies. It also
pinpointed affected immune pathways and ways for their therapeutic modulation.

Currently, we lead an unique patient-centric network, the CDG-Allies PPAIN to empower CDG community and improve their quality of life.

Representative Projects

“GLYCOTwinning Building NETworks to excel in Glycoscience”, HORIZON-WIDERA-2021-ACCESS-03. Total funding: €1,479,375, Unit funding: €750,000.
“InnO-Glyco- Innovative approaches for pancreatic cancer: Decoding and manipulating immune response to short sialylated O-glycans”, FCT IP. Total and Unit funding: €247,374.08
“ProDGNE-Novel therapeutic approaches to target GNE myopathy”, FCT IP. Total funding: €1,056,131 and Unit funding: €250,000.
“GlyCOVID - Impact and Infection of SARS-CoV-2 in Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation (CDG)”. Total and Unit funding: €10,000.
“Combinação de vacina de células dendríticas com inibidores de checkpoint imunitário como terapia de primeira linha em doentes com neoplasias malignas sólidas”, DCMATTERS- P2020, Total funding: €3,000,269.42, Unit funding: €421,437.23.

Selected Publications

Deschepper, FM; Zoppi, R; Pirro, M; Hensbergen, PJ; Dall'Olio, F; Kotsias, M; Gardner, RA; Spencer, DIR; Videira, PA. 2020. L1CAM as an E-selectin Ligand in Colon Cancer. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES, 21, DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218286

Loureiro, LR; Feldmann, A; Bergmann, R; Koristka, S; Berndt, N; Mathe, D; Hegedus, N; Szigeti, K; Videira, PA; Bachmann, M; Arndt, C. 2020. Extended half-life target module for sustainable UniCAR T-cell treatment of STn-expressing cancers. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH, 39, DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01572-4

Francisco, R; Pascoal, C; Marques-da-Silva, D; Brasil, S; Pimentel-Santos, FM; Altassan, R; Jaeken, J; Grosso, AR; Ferreira, VD; Videira, PA. 2020. New Insights into Immunological Involvement in Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation (CDG) from a People-Centric Approach. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 9, DOI: 10.3390/jcm9072092

Altassan, R; Radenkovic, S; Edmondson, AC; Barone, R; Brasil, S; Cechova, A; Coman, D; Donoghue, S; Falkenstein, K; Ferreira, V; Ferreira, C; Fiumara, A; Francisco, R; Freeze, H; Grunewald, S; Honzik, T; Jaeken, J; Krasnewich, D; Lam, C; Lee, J; Lefeber, D; Marques-da-Silva, D; Pascoal, C; Quelhas, D; Raymond, KM; Rymen, D; Seroczynska, M; Serrano, M; Sykut-Cegielska, J; Thiel, C; Tort, F; Vals, MA; Videira, P; Voermans, N; Witters, P; Morava, E. 2020. International consensus guidelines for phosphoglucomutase 1 deficiency (PGM1-CDG): Diagnosis, follow-up, and management. JOURNAL OF INHERITED METABOLIC DISEASE, DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12286

K. Rengasamy, H. Khan, S. Gowrishankar, R. Lagoa, F. Mahoomodally, et al.. 2019. The role of flavonoids in autoimmune diseases: therapeutic updates. PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, 194, DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.09.009