Antibody glycosylation: impact on antibody drug characteristics and quality control

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2020 Mar;104(5):1905-1914. doi: 10.1007/s00253-020-10368-7. Epub 2020 Jan 15.

Abstract

Glycosylation is a common post-translational modification that occurs during the production of antibodies. Glycans attached to antibodies play an important role in the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of therapeutic antibodies. In the modern antibody industry, it is important to adjust and control glycosylation modifications. The formation of specific sugar structures via glycosylation engineering is constantly evolving. This review summarizes the recent progress in glycosylation modifications, as well as the major discoveries and current understanding of the mechanisms involved, to provide new ideas for the research and development of therapeutic antibodies.

Keywords: Analysis; Antibodies; Glycosylation; Pharmacokinetics.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies / chemistry
  • Antibodies / genetics
  • Antibodies / metabolism*
  • Antibodies / pharmacology
  • Glycosylation*
  • Humans
  • Polysaccharides / chemistry
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Quality Control

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Polysaccharides