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In-situ profiling of glycosylation on single cells with surface plasmon resonance imaging

Author

Listed:
  • Xiaoyin Liu

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Jinbiao Ma

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Yunrui Zhang

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Yi Xu

    (Zhejiang University School of Medicine)

  • Yunxiao Wang

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Dehong Yang

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Di Wang

    (Zhejiang University
    Zhejiang Lab)

  • Qingjun Liu

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Fenni Zhang

    (Zhejiang University)

Abstract

Cellular glycosylation is crucial for cell recognition, signal transduction, and the development of various diseases, especially in tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. Current glycosylation profiling methods normally involve laborious sample processing and labeling and lack in-situ quantitative analysis. Here, we present a direct optical method to investigate and quantify the glycan expression on single cells based on lectin-glycan kinetic quantification with plasmonic imaging. Three unlabeled lectins (WGA, SBA, ConA) are employed as probes to bind with specific glycans, and binding kinetics are assessed to determine glycosylation profiles. The result reveals cell-to-cell heterogeneity in glycosylation patterns. To demonstrate the capability of our method, the glycosylation profiling of four distinct cell lines is explored, showing obvious alterations in glycan expression related to tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. This approach enables direct quantification of glycosylation and binding kinetics, providing insights into tumor cell glycosylation mechanisms and potential applications in disease diagnosis and treatment.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaoyin Liu & Jinbiao Ma & Yunrui Zhang & Yi Xu & Yunxiao Wang & Dehong Yang & Di Wang & Qingjun Liu & Fenni Zhang, 2025. "In-situ profiling of glycosylation on single cells with surface plasmon resonance imaging," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-56390-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56390-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Guangzhong Ma & Runli Liang & Zijian Wan & Shaopeng Wang, 2021. "Critical angle reflection imaging for quantification of molecular interactions on glass surface," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Hao Nie & Haixing Ju & Jiayi Fan & Xiaoliu Shi & Yaxian Cheng & Xiaohui Cang & Zhiguo Zheng & Xiaotao Duan & Wen Yi, 2020. "O-GlcNAcylation of PGK1 coordinates glycolysis and TCA cycle to promote tumor growth," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-14, December.
    3. Yoshimi Haga & Kumiko Ishii & Kayo Hibino & Yasushi Sako & Yukishige Ito & Naoyuki Taniguchi & Tadashi Suzuki, 2012. "Visualizing specific protein glycoforms by transmembrane fluorescence resonance energy transfer," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 3(1), pages 1-7, January.
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