N-Glycosylation of mollusk hemocyanins contributes to their structural stability and immunomodulatory properties in mammals.

Hemocyanins are widely used as carriers, adjuvants, and nonspecific immunostimulants in cancer because they promote Th1 immunity in mammals. Hemocyanins also interact with glycan-recognizing innate immune receptors on antigen-presenting cells, such as the C-type lectin immune receptors mannose receptor (MR), macrophage galactose lectin (MGL), and the Toll-like receptors (TLRs), stimulating proinflammatory cytokine secretion. However, the role of N-linked oligosaccharides on the structural and immunological properties of hemocyanin is unclear. Mollusk hemocyanins, such as Concholepas concholepas (CCH), Fissurella latimarginata (FLH), and Megathura crenulata (KLH), are oligomeric glycoproteins with complex dodecameric quaternary structures and heterogeneous glycosylation patterns, primarily consisting of mannose-rich N-glycans. Here, we report that enzyme-catalyzed N-deglycosylation of CCH, FLH, and KLH disrupts their quaternary structure and impairs their immunogenic effects. Biochemical analyses revealed that the deglycosylation does not change hemocyanin secondary structure but alters their refolding mechanism and dodecameric structure. Immunochemical analyses indicated decreased binding of N-deglycosylated hemocyanins to the MR and MGL receptors and TLR4 and reduced endocytosis concomitant with an impaired production of tumor necrosis factor α, and interleukins 6 and 12 (IL-6 and IL-12p40, respectively) in macrophages. Evaluating the function of N-deglycosylated hemocyanins in the humoral immune response and their nonspecific antitumor effects in the B16F10 melanoma model, we found that compared with native hemocyanins N-deglycosylated hemocyanins elicited reduced antibody titers, as well as partially diminished antitumor effects and altered carrier activities. In conclusion, the glycan content of hemocyanins is, among other structural characteristics, critically required for their immunological activities and should be considered in biomedical applications.