Characterization of Sialic Acid-Binding Immunoglobulin-Type Lectins in Fish Reveals Teleost-Specific Structures and Expression Patterns

The cellular glycocalyx of vertebrates is frequently decorated with sialic acid residues. These sialylated structures are recognized by sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-type lectins (Siglecs) of immune cells, which modulate their responsiveness. Fifteen Siglecs are known to be expressed in humans, but only four Siglecs are regularly present in fish: Siglec1, CD22, myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), and Siglec15. While several studies have dealt with the physiological roles of these four Siglecs in mammals, little is known about Siglecs in fish. In the present manuscript, the expression landscapes of these Siglecs were determined in the two salmonid species and and in the percid fish This gene-expression profiling revealed that the expression of is not restricted to neuronal cells but is detectable in all analyzed blood cells, including erythrocytes. The teleostean MAG contains the inhibitory motif ITIM; therefore, an additional immunomodulatory function of MAG is likely to be present in fish. Besides , , , and were also expressed in all analyzed blood cell populations. Interestingly, the expression profiles of genes encoding Siglecs and particular associated enzymes changed in a gene- and tissue-specific manner when was exposed to handling stress. Thus, the obtained data indicate once more that stress directly affects immune-associated processes.