Use of a glycomics array to establish the anti-carbohydrate antibody repertoire in type 1 diabetes

Abstract

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease, characterized by the presence of autoantibodies to protein and non-protein antigens. Here we report the identification of specific anti-carbohydrate antibodies (ACAs) that are associated with pathogenesis and progression to T1D. We compare circulatory levels of ACAs against 202 glycans in a cross-sectional cohort of T1D patients (n = 278) and healthy controls (n = 298), as well as in a longitudinal cohort (n = 112). We identify 11 clusters of ACAs associated with glycan function class. Clusters enriched for aminoglycosides, blood group A and B antigens, glycolipids, ganglio-series, and O-linked glycans are associated with progression to T1D. ACAs against gentamicin and its related structures, G418 and sisomicin, are also associated with islet autoimmunity. ACAs improve discrimination of T1D status of individuals over a model with only clinical variables and are potential biomarkers for T1D.

Serum antibody screening using glycan arrays

“…Tran et al used a fluorescent bead-based suspension glycan array to profile anti-glycan IgG in type 1 diabetes (T1D). 308 Analysis revealed that antibodies against aminoglycosides, blood group A and B antigens, glycolipids, ganglio-series glycans, and O -linked glycans were associated with islet immunity and with progression to T1D. Incorporating these anti-glycan antibodies into a diagnostic test yielded better results than clinical variables at distinguishing those with and without T1D.…”