Empleo de carbohidratos como terapia antiadhesiva en enfermedades bacterianas

Abstract

Carbohydrates are involved as transmitters of information in all "corners" of biology. Knowledge of the mechanisms of synthesis and degradation of these compounds is of great importance to understand, diagnose and treat diseases. When we talk about carbohydrates must speak necessarily lectins as these are defined as proteins that recognize and bind to carbohydrates that protrude from complexes formed by glycolipids or glycoproteins. The interaction between a carbohydrate lectins, is highly specific, comparable to the antigen-antibody or enzymesubstrate interaction. Lectins mediate endogenous biological processes such as cell recognition, interactions between cells and extracellular matrix, fertilization, embryo development, cell growth, cell adhesion and migration, apoptosis, immunomodulation and inflammation, hostpathogen interactions, homeostasis and mitogenic induction. Bacteria also have glycan groups on their surface capable of interacting with lectins in host cells; Evidence suggests that mediates LPS processes adherence of bacteria to mucosal cells and induces morphological changes and stimulate its proliferation in different mucous.