ANTI-ALPHA-GAL ANTIBODIES TO PREDICT NOSOCOMIAL PNEUMONIA

  • Authors: Pisarev V.M.1,2, Tarlycheva A.A.1, Petrova M.V.1,3, Bovin N.V.4, Obuhova P.S.4,5, Shilova N.V.4,5
  • Affiliations:
    1. Federal Scientific and Clinical Center of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitation of the Ministry of Education and Science, Russian Federation, Moscow
    2. Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Russian Federation, Moscow
    3. People’s Friendship University, Russian Federation, Moscow
    4. Federal State Budgetary Institution of Science State Scientific Center Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry named after Academicians M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian Federation, Moscow
    5. National Medical Research Center of obstetrics, gynecology and perinatology named after academician V.I. Kulakov, Russian Federation, Moscow
  • Section: SHORT COMMUNICATIONS
  • Submitted: 19.02.2026
  • Accepted: 07.03.2026
  • URL: https://iimmun.ru/iimm/article/view/18151
  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.15789/2220-7619-AAG-18151
  • ID: 18151


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Abstract

Unlike most other mammals, humans have lost the ability to express alpha-1,3-galactosyltransferase (α1,3GT) due to mutations in the GGTA1 gene thereby underlying inability of human cells to synthesize Gala1-3Galb1-4GlcNAc-terminated glycans (aGal), also present in bacterial and viral glycopolymers. The latter are not only highly immunogenic to humans, but also cause an immediate immune response due to pre-existing antibodies to them resulting in local complement hyperactivation followed by an immunoadjuvant effect. Such properties of antibodies against aGal are manifested in hyperacute rejection reactions during xenotransplantation, and are also used to increase the immunogenicity of vaccines against tumors and to develop methods for regenerating nervous system cells. The presence of pre-existing anti-aGal antibodies in human body is commonly associated with protection against bacterial and viral infectious diseases. However, in addition to mediating immune responses, these antibodies have been shown to block activation of the alternative complement pathway, reducing blood bactericidal activity and contributing to development of antibody-dependent enhancement of infection. It is known that blocking activity of anti-aGal antibodies increases blood bactericidal activity against some Gram-negative bacteria. We assumed that this pattern of anti-aGal antibodies could be used for prognostic purposes. Materials and methods. In a pilot study with patients showing sequelae of severe brain damage (n=70) without clinical signs of pneumonia, plasma samples collected on the day of hospitalization were used to quantitate anti-aGal antibodies using 96-well plates covered with aGal antigen. Results and discussion. The presence of high anti-aGal antibody levels in patients significantly predicted a high risk of nosocomial (hospital-acquired) pneumonia. For the first time, the presented results demonstrate the high potential for quantification of anti-aGal antibodies for early stratification of patients at risk of developing nosocomial pneumonia in order to personalize treatment, and also warrant the feasibility of translational studies assessing aGal antibody blockade potential.

About the authors

Vladimir Mitrifanovich Pisarev

Federal Scientific and Clinical Center of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitation of the Ministry of Education and Science, Russian Federation, Moscow;
Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Russian Federation, Moscow

Author for correspondence.
Email: vpisarev@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5729-9846
Scopus Author ID: 7006540472
ResearcherId: E-1373-201

MD,PhD,DSci, professor, Head, laboratory of molecular mechanisms of critical illness, V.A.Negovsky Institute of General Reanimatology, Federal Research and Clinical Center of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitology

Russian Federation, Bldg. 2, 25, Petrovka Str., 107031, Moscow, Russia 3a, Novogireevskaya St., Moscow, 111123

Anastasiia Aleksandrovna Tarlycheva

Federal Scientific and Clinical Center of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitation of the Ministry of Education and Science, Russian Federation, Moscow

Email: atarlycheva@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-9560-0273
Scopus Author ID: 57220121246
ResearcherId: AAB-5359-2020

Scientist, laboratory of molecular mechanisms of critical illness, V.A.Negovsky Institute of General Reanimatology, Federal Research and Clinical Center of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitology

Russian Federation, Bldg. 2, 25, Petrovka Str., 107031, Moscow, Russia

Marina Vladimirovna Petrova

Federal Scientific and Clinical Center of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitation of the Ministry of Education and Science, Russian Federation, Moscow;
People’s Friendship University, Russian Federation, Moscow

Email: mail@petrovamv.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4272-0957
Scopus Author ID: 57191543337
ResearcherId: P-1259-2015

Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Deputy Director for Scientific and Clinical Activities

Head of the Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimatology, Medical Institute, Patrice Lumumba Peoples' Friendship University

Russian Federation, Bldg. 2, 25, Petrovka Str., 107031, Moscow, Russia 117198, Moscow Miklukho-Maklaya str. 6, Moscow, Russia

Nikolai Vladimirovich Bovin

Federal State Budgetary Institution of Science State Scientific Center Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry named after Academicians M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian Federation, Moscow

Email: professorbovin@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-8669-4477
Scopus Author ID: 7103341757

Professor, Doctor of Science. Head of department (Department of Chemical Biology of Glycans and Lipids), Head of Laboratory (Laboratory of Carbohydrates), Principal research fellow (Laboratory of Carbohydrates)

Russian Federation, 117997, Russian Federation, Moscow, GSP-7, Ulitsa Miklukho-Maklaya, 16/10

Polina Sergeevna Obuhova

Federal State Budgetary Institution of Science State Scientific Center Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry named after Academicians M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian Federation, Moscow ;
National Medical Research Center of obstetrics, gynecology and perinatology named after academician V.I. Kulakov, Russian Federation, Moscow

Email: anruma@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-9829-673X
Scopus Author ID: 22958543500


Doctor of Philosophy. Research fellow (Laboratory of Carbohydrates)

Russian Federation, 117997, Russian Federation, Moscow, GSP-7, Ulitsa Miklukho-Maklaya, 16/10

Nadezhda Vladimirovna Shilova

Federal State Budgetary Institution of Science State Scientific Center Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry named after Academicians M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian Federation, Moscow ;
National Medical Research Center of obstetrics, gynecology and perinatology named after academician V.I. Kulakov, Russian Federation, Moscow

Email: pumatnv@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-6003-071X
Scopus Author ID: 36841134200

Doctor of Philosophy. Senior research fellow (Laboratory of Carbohydrates), Associate Professor (Department of Postgraduate Studies)

Russian Federation, 117997, Russian Federation, Moscow, GSP-7, Ulitsa Miklukho-Maklaya, 16/10 4, akademika Oparina street, Moscow, 117997

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