Tear N‐glycomics in vernal and atopic keratoconjunctivitis

• DOI: 10.1111/all.14775
• Publication Date: 2021-02-14T15:22:20Z
• Authors: Angela Messina; Angelo Palmigiano; Claudia Tosto; Donata Agata Romeo; Luisa Sturiale; Domenico Garozzo; Andrea Leonardi
• Keywords: Fucosylation; Glycomics; PNGase F; Glycome; Vernal keratoconjunctivitis

Tear fluid N-Glycome from patients affected with vernal (VKC) and atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) was investigated to identify specific changes in tears recognize possible glyco-biomarkers.The analysis of the N-glycans performed using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry on single tear samples. Tears control normal subjects (CTRL), VKC AKC were processed treated peptide N-glycosidase F (PNGase F) deglycosylate N-glycoproteins. Released purified, permethylated, analyzed by desorption/ionization-time flight tandem (MALDI-TOF MS MALDI-TOF MS/MS).More than 150 complex N-glycans, including highly fucosylated biantennary, triantennary, tetra-antennary, bisecting species, observed our spectra. Three distinct patterns for CTRL, VKC, identified terms relative intensities some structures. Major variations involved hyperfucosylated glycoforms. The most intense ions associated species at m/z 1907.0 (asialo, agalacto, bisected, biantennary structure-NGA2B) CTRL profiles, 2605.3 2966.5 2792.4 corresponding a well-known disialylated N-glycan. Several peaks structures bearing one or two Lewis X epitopes. Structures confirmed MS/MS analysis. Quantitative differences among three groups statistically significant.Tear profiles are rich glycoforms, particularly those high fucosylation degree, indicating both core peripheral decoration. N-glycome provided important information better comprehension alterations molecular level.