Özet:

During the intrathymic development, bone marrow derived immature thymocytes undergo a series of selection and differentiation processes for their proper phenotypical and functional characteristics. The functional fate of immature thymocytes depends largely on the glycosylation changes in cell surface glycoproteins. The primary goal of this study is to examine the effects of dexamethasone on the thymic glycan profile. Methods: The study was carried out with 8-week old 65 Balb/c mice. The glycan profiles of thymic proteins from dexamethasone-treated group and control mice were compared by lectin blotting using different specific plant lectins including Maackia amurensis agglutinin, Sambucus nigra agglutinin, peanut agglutinin, concanavalin A and wheat germ agglutinin. Results: Lectin blotting studies revealed that the reactivities of Maackia amurensis agglutin, Sambucus nigra agglutin and peanut agglutin were loosely decreased upon the dexamethasone treatment. However, dexamethasone administration increased the binding affinity to concanavalin A and wheat germ agglutine lectins. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These results suggest that dexamethasone is a powerful factor for the alteration of glycosylation motifs in thymic tissue.

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