Non-Human Glycans

Galili antigen, also known as alpha-gal, is a glycan found in most mammalian cell membranes. It is not found in primates, including humans, who have lost the GGTA1 gene in the evaluation. Our immune systems recognize it as a foreign body and produce xenoreactive immunoglobulin M antibodies, leading to organ rejection after transplantation of animal’s (mainly pigs) organs in humans.

Forssman antigen is a commonly occurring heterophile antigen but is thought not to be present in most humans. Recent biochemical studies, however, have shown the presence of Forssman antigen in several forms of human cancer, including gastric, colon, and lung cancers.

Phospholipase A2 (Apis mellifera 1 [Api m 1]), the major bee venom allergen, is a glycoprotein that can bind IgE antibodies of individuals with allergy either via the protein structure and/or the glycan epitope.