Glycosylation of immunoglobulin G molecules changes with age

Physiological

Data Availability

18 to 93 years

Tissue

  • blood Changes

References

Referencing provided by LibAge

External Links

Description

Analysis of the glycosylation of immunoglobulin G molecules in 5,117 individuals from four European populations, showed that changes in glycan patterns occur with ageing. Strongest association with age was observed for galactosylation: nongalactosylated glycans (A2 and FA2) steadily increased with age, digalactosylated glycans (A2G2, FA2G2, A2BG2, and FA2BG2) decreased with age and monogalactosylated structures (A2G1 FA2G1, A2BG1, and FA2BG1), displayed both increasing and decreasing depending on the position of galactose and the presence of the bisecting GlcNAc. Changes were more dynamic in women, with the most pronounced age associations for women between the ages of 45 and 55 when menopause begins. All other elements of IgG glycosylation (fucosylation, sialylation, and bisecting GlcNAc) also displayed patterns associated with age. In a subsequent longitudinal study, the levels of selected glycans showed similar age-related changes for the same individuals to those observed at the population level.