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Abstract

Glyco-immune checkpoint receptors, molecules that inhibit immune cell activity following binding to glycosylated cell-surface
antigens, are emerging as attractive targets for cancer immunotherapy.
Defining biologically relevant ligands that bind and activate such receptors, however, has historically been a significant challenge. Here, we present a CRISPRi genomic screening strategy that allowed unbiased identification of the key genes required for
cell-surface presentation of glycan ligands on leukemia cells that bind the glyco-immune checkpoint receptors Siglec-7 and Siglec-9.
This approach revealed a selective interaction between Siglec-7 and the mucin-type glycoprotein CD43. Further work identified a specific N-terminal glycopeptide region of CD43 containing clusters of disialylated O-glycan tetrasaccharides that form specific Siglec-7 binding motifs. Knockout or blockade of CD43 in leukemia
cells relieves Siglec-7-mediated inhibition of immune killing activity.
This work identifies a potential target for immune checkpoint blockade therapy and represents a generalizable approach to dissection of glycan–receptor interactions in living cells.