Research summary
In autoimmune disorders, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. Uncovering new mechanisms by which Siglecs (a family of cell surface receptors found on various immune cells) can maintain immune tolerance could lead to new ways to prevent or treat autoimmune disorders.
Siglecs stands for sialic acid-binding Immunoglobulin-like lectins. Expressed mainly by cells in the immune system, these receptors can help control immune cell function and play a role in limiting inflammation and maintaining immune tolerance. As Canada Research Chair in Chemical Glycoimmunology, Dr. Matthew Macauley is developing tools to study Siglec-ligand interactions. He and his research team are also shedding light on new roles for Siglecs in regulating immune cell function and advancing ways to use these receptors to better control immune cell function. Ultimately, they hope their research will lead to new approaches that guide immune responses.