Antibody glycosylation

Antibody glycosylation refers to the process where sugar molecules are attached to antibodies, which are proteins that help defend the body against infections. These sugar chains, called glycans, influence how antibodies function—affecting their stability, ability to activate immune cells, and how effectively they clear pathogens or damaged cells. The pattern of glycosylation can vary depending on health, disease, or treatments, making it an important factor in immune response and therapeutic antibody design. Essentially, glycosylation acts like a molecular “tag” that modifies antibody behavior and effectiveness.