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Gangliosides: Modes of Action and Cell Fates

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Neurobiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2019) | Viewed by 63836

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Prof. Dr. Koichi Furukawa

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Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chubu University College of Life and Health Sciences, Kasugai 487-8501, Japan
Interests: glycosphingolipids; neuronal cell; glioma cell; cancer; glycosylation; gangliosides; inflammation; neurodegeneration
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Gangliosides, sialic acid-containing glycosphingolipids are ubiquitously expressed mainly on the cell membrane in vertebrates. The structure of carbohydrate moieties varies depending on the development and differentiation of tissues and cells. In particular, the polymorphic alteration of gangliosides along with the development and differentiation of nervous tissues has suggested their roles in the organogenesis of nervous systems. In turn, some gangliosides have been considered to be cancer-associated antigens, and have been used as tumor markers and targets for antibody therapy. Since cDNAs for ganglioside synthases were isolated, the genetic modification of ganglioside expression in cultured cells and experimental animals has enabled us to substantially elucidate the roles of gangliosides in cancers and nervous systems. The main findings can be summarized as: (i) Gangliosides play a pivotal role in the maintenance of the integrity of nervous systems, and also in repair of damaged nerve tissues; (ii) Gangliosides are important for the architecture and function of membrane microdomains such as lipid rafts; and (iii) Gangliosides regulate cell signals at lipid rafts based on the interaction with ganglioside-recognizing molecules, leading to the decision of cell fates. The molecular cluster formation around gangliosides is now attracting many researchers in this field. We would like to focus on the modes of action and resulting cell fates to further understand the implication of gangliosides in our bodies. This Special Issue calls for original research and reviews and perspectives that address the progress and current knowledge in the research on gangliosides, their modes of action and cell fates.

Prof. Dr. Koichi Furukawa
Guest Editor

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Keywords

acidic glycosphingolipids
microdomains and lipid rafts
molecular complex formation
regulation of signaling
cell–cell interaction
recognition and interaction with glycolipids
proliferation and differentiation
activation and inactivation

Published Papers (14 papers)

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Editorial

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Editorial for Special Issue “Gangliosides: Modes of Action and Cell Fates”

by Koichi Furukawa

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(18), 6552; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21186552 - 08 Sep 2020

Viewed by 1483

Abstract

Gangliosides have been considered to play essential roles in the regulation of nervous systems. Novel findings about their functions based on the unique genetic and biochemical approaches have been recently accumulated, and representative results were collected here. In particular, new developments of analytical methods, regulatory mechanisms for ganglioside synthesis and degradation, and novel aspects of their functions in nervous systems and various other organs were introduced in this Special Issue, promoting further fundamental investigation and applied research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gangliosides: Modes of Action and Cell Fates)

Research

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14 pages, 2965 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Neuroprotection by Neurotropin through Crosstalk of Neurotrophic and Innate Immune Receptors in PC12 Cells

by Yu Fukuda, Kazuki Nakajima and Tatsuro Mutoh

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(18), 6456; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21186456 - 04 Sep 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3073

Abstract

Infected or damaged tissues release multiple “alert” molecules such as alarmins and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that are recognized by innate immune receptors, and induce tissue inflammation, regeneration, and repair. Recently, an extract from inflamed rabbit skin inoculated with vaccinia virus (Neurotropin^®, NTP) was found to induce infarct tolerance in mice receiving permanent ischemic attack to the middle cerebral artery. Likewise, we report herein that NTP prevented the neurite retraction in PC12 cells by nerve growth factor (NGF) deprivation. This effect was accompanied by interaction of Fyn with high-affinity NGF receptor TrkA. Sucrose density gradient subcellular fractionation of NTP-treated cells showed heretofore unidentified membrane fractions with a high-buoyant density containing Trk, B subunit of cholera toxin-bound ganglioside, flotillin-1 and Fyn. Additionally, these new membrane fractions also contained Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Inhibition of TLR4 function by TAK-242 prevented the formation of these unidentified membrane fractions and suppressed neuroprotection by NTP. These observations indicate that NTP controls TrkA-mediated signaling through the formation of clusters of new membrane microdomains, thus providing a platform for crosstalk between neurotrophic and innate immune receptors. Neuroprotective mechanisms through the interaction with innate immune systems may provide novel mechanism for neuroprotection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gangliosides: Modes of Action and Cell Fates)

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20 pages, 4643 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ganglioside Synthesis by Plasma Membrane-Associated Sialyltransferase in Macrophages

by Aldo A. Vilcaes, Eduardo Garbarino-Pico, Vanina Torres Demichelis and Jose L. Daniotti

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(3), 1063; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21031063 - 05 Feb 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3234

Abstract

Gangliosides are constituents of the mammalian cell membranes and participate in the inflammatory response. However, little is known about the presence and enzymatic activity of ganglioside sialyltransferases at the cell surface of macrophages, one of the most important immune cells involved in the innate inflammatory process. In the present study, using biochemical and fluorescent microscopy approaches, we found that endogenous ST8Sia-I is present at the plasma membrane (ecto-ST8Sia-I) of murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, ecto-ST8Sia-I can synthetize GD3 ganglioside at the cell surface in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages even when LPS-stimulated macrophages reduced the total ST8Sia-I expression levels. Besides, cotreatment of LPS with an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase recovered the ecto-ST8Sia-I expression, suggesting that NO production is involved in the reduction of ST8Sia-I expression. The diminution of ST8Sia-I expression in LPS-stimulated macrophages correlated with a reduction of GD3 and GM1 gangliosides and with an increment of GD1a. Taken together, the data supports the presence and activity of sialyltransferases at the plasma membrane of RAW264.7 cells. The variations of ecto-ST8Sia-I and ganglioside levels in stimulated macrophages constitutes a promissory pathway to further explore the physiological role of this and others ganglioside metabolism-related enzymes at the cell surface during the immune response. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gangliosides: Modes of Action and Cell Fates)

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18 pages, 4266 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Profiling of O-acetylated Gangliosides Expressed in Neuroectoderm Derived Cells

by Sumeyye Cavdarli, Nao Yamakawa, Charlotte Clarisse, Kazuhiro Aoki, Guillaume Brysbaert, Jean-Marc Le Doussal, Philippe Delannoy, Yann Guérardel and Sophie Groux-Degroote

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(1), 370; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21010370 - 06 Jan 2020

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 7684

Abstract

The expression and biological functions of oncofetal markers GD2 and GD3 were extensively studied in neuroectoderm-derived cancers in order to characterize their potential as therapeutic targets. Using immunological approaches, we previously identified GD3, GD2, and OAcGD2 expression in breast cancer (BC) cell lines. However, antibodies specific for O-acetylated gangliosides are not exempt of limitations, as they only provide information on the expression of a limited set of O-acetylated ganglioside species. Consequently, the aim of the present study was to use structural approaches in order to apprehend ganglioside diversity in melanoma, neuroblastoma, and breast cancer cells, focusing on O-acetylated species that are usually lost under alkaline conditions and require specific analytical procedures. We used purification and extraction methods that preserve the O-acetyl modification for the analysis of native gangliosides by MALDI-TOF. We identified the expression of GM1, GM2, GM3, GD2, GD3, GT2, and GT3 in SK-Mel28 (melanoma), LAN-1 (neuroblastoma), Hs 578T, SUM 159PT, MDA-MB-231, MCF-7 (BC), and BC cell lines over-expressing GD3 synthase. Among O-acetylated gangliosides, we characterized the expression of OAcGM1, OAcGD3, OAcGD2, OAcGT2, and OAcGT3. Furthermore, the experimental procedure allowed us to clearly identify the position of the sialic acid residue that carries the O-acetyl group on b- and c-series gangliosides by MS/MS fragmentation. These results show that ganglioside O-acetylation occurs on both inner and terminal sialic acid residue in a cell type-dependent manner, suggesting different O-acetylation pathways for gangliosides. They also highlight the limitation of immuno-detection for the complete identification of O-acetylated ganglioside profiles in cancer cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gangliosides: Modes of Action and Cell Fates)

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14 pages, 3100 KiB

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Evaluation of Residual Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Human Chondrocytes by Cell Type-Specific Glycosphingolipid Glycome Analysis Based on the Aminolysis-SALSA Technique

by Takuji Miyazaki, Hisatoshi Hanamatsu, Liang Xu, Tomohiro Onodera, Jun-ichi Furukawa, Kentaro Homan, Rikiya Baba, Toshisuke Kawasaki and Norimasa Iwasaki

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(1), 231; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21010231 - 28 Dec 2019

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3115

Abstract

Cartilage damage may eventually lead to osteoarthritis because it is difficult to repair. Human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived chondrocytes may potentially be used to treat cartilage damage, but the tumorigenicity of iPSCs is a major concern for their application in regenerative medicine. Many glycoconjugates serve as stem cell markers, and glycosphingolipids (GSLs) including H type 1 antigen (Fucα1-2Galβ1-3GlcNAc) have been expressed on the surface of iPSCs. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether GSL-glycome analysis is useful for quality control of residual iPSCs in chondrocytes. We performed GSL-glycome analysis of undifferentiated iPSCs in chondrocytes by combining glycoblotting and aminolysis-sialic acid linkage-specific alkylamidation (SALSA) method, enabling the detection of small quantities of iPSC-specific GSL-glycans from 5 × 10⁴ cells. Furthermore, we estimated the residual amount of iPSCs using R-17F antibody, which possesses cytotoxic activity toward iPSCs that is dependent on the Lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNFP I) of GSL. Moreover, we could detect a small number of LNFP I during mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) differentiation from iPSCs. This is the first demonstration that GSL-glycome analysis is useful for detecting undifferentiated iPSCs, and can thereby support safe regenerative medicine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gangliosides: Modes of Action and Cell Fates)

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19 pages, 3904 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Self-Assembly in Ganglioside‒Phospholipid Systems: The Co-Existence of Vesicles, Micelles, and Discs

by Enamul Haque Mojumdar, Carl Grey and Emma Sparr

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(1), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21010056 - 20 Dec 2019

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3300

Abstract

Ganglioside lipids have been associated with several physiological processes, including cell signaling. They have also been associated with amyloid aggregation in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. In biological systems, gangliosides are present in a mix with other lipid species, and the structure and properties of these mixtures strongly depend on the proportions of the different components. Here, we study self-assembly in model mixtures composed of ganglioside GM1 and a zwitterionic phospholipid, 1,2-Dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC). We characterize the structure and molecular dynamics using a range of complementary techniques, including cryo-TEM, polarization transfer solid state NMR, diffusion NMR, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and calorimetry. The main findings are: (1) The lipid acyl chains are more rigid in mixtures containing both lipid species compared to systems that only contain one of the lipids. (2) The system containing DOPC with 10 mol % GM1 contains both vesicles and micelles. (3) At higher GM1 concentrations, the sample is more heterogenous and also contains small disc-like or rod-like structures. Such a co-existence of structures can have a strong impact on the overall properties of the lipid system, including transport, solubilization, and partitioning, which can be crucial to the understanding of the role of gangliosides in biological systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gangliosides: Modes of Action and Cell Fates)

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13 pages, 4369 KiB

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Development of Fluorescently Labeled SSEA-3, SSEA-4, and Globo-H Glycosphingolipids for Elucidating Molecular Interactions in the Cell Membrane

by Sachi Asano, Rita Pal, Hide-Nori Tanaka, Akihiro Imamura, Hideharu Ishida, Kenichi G. N. Suzuki and Hiromune Ando

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(24), 6187; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20246187 - 07 Dec 2019

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4474

Abstract

Glycosphingolipids (GSLs), such as the globo-series GSLs stage-specific embryonic antigen 3 (SSEA-3), SSEA-4, and Globo-H, are specifically expressed on pluripotent stem cells and cancer cells, and are known to be associated with various biological processes such as cell recognition, cell adhesion, and signal transduction. However, the behavior and biological roles of these GSLs are still unclear. In our previous study, we observed the interactions between the lipid raft and GSLs in real-time using single-molecule imaging, where we successfully synthesized various fluorescent analogs of GSLs (e.g., GM1 and GM3). Here, we have developed fluorescent analogs of SSEA-3, SSEA-4, and Globo-H using chemical synthesis. The biophysical properties of these analogs as raft markers were examined by partitioning giant plasma membrane vesicles from RBL-2H3 cells into detergent-resistant membrane fractions and liquid-ordered/liquid-disordered phases. The results indicated that the analogs were equivalent to native-type GSLs. The analogs could be used to observe the behavior of globo-series GSLs for detailing the structure and biological roles of lipid rafts and GSL-enriched nanodomains during cell differentiation and cell malignancy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gangliosides: Modes of Action and Cell Fates)

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14 pages, 550 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Deficiency of GD3 Synthase in Mice Resulting in the Attenuation of Bone Loss with Aging

by Shoyoku Yo, Kazunori Hamamura, Yoshitaka Mishima, Kosuke Hamajima, Hironori Mori, Koichi Furukawa, Hisataka Kondo, Kenjiro Tanaka, Takuma Sato, Ken Miyazawa, Shigemi Goto and Akifumi Togari

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(11), 2825; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20112825 - 10 Jun 2019

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3394

Abstract

Gangliosides are widely expressed in almost all tissues and cells and are also considered to be essential in the development and maintenance of various organs and tissues. However, little is known about their roles in bone metabolism. In this study, we investigated the effects of genetic deletion of ganglioside D3 (GD3) synthase, which is responsible for the generation of all b-series gangliosides, on bone metabolism. Although b-series gangliosides were not expressed in osteoblasts, these gangliosides were expressed in pre-osteoclasts. However, the expression of these gangliosides was decreased after induction of osteoclastogenesis by receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL). Three-dimensional micro-computed tomography (3D-μCT) analysis revealed that femoral cancellous bone mass in GD3 synthase-knockout (GD3S KO) mice was higher than that in wild type (WT) mice at the age of 40 weeks, although there were no differences in that between GD3S KO and WT mice at 15 weeks old. Whereas bone formation parameters (osteoblast numbers/bone surface and osteoblast surface/bone surface) in GD3S KO mice did not differ from WT mice, bone resorption parameters (osteoclast numbers/bone surface and osteoclast surface/bone surface) in GD3S KO mice became significantly lower than those in WT mice at 40 weeks of age. Collectively, this study demonstrates that deletion of GD3 synthase attenuates bone loss that emerges with aging. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gangliosides: Modes of Action and Cell Fates)

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Review

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30 pages, 1798 KiB

Open AccessReview

Mechanism of Secondary Ganglioside and Lipid Accumulation in Lysosomal Disease

by Bernadette Breiden and Konrad Sandhoff

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(7), 2566; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21072566 - 07 Apr 2020

Cited by 50 | Viewed by 6843

Abstract

Gangliosidoses are caused by monogenic defects of a specific hydrolase or an ancillary sphingolipid activator protein essential for a specific step in the catabolism of gangliosides. Such defects in lysosomal function cause a primary accumulation of multiple undegradable gangliosides and glycosphingolipids. In reality, however, predominantly small gangliosides also accumulate in many lysosomal diseases as secondary storage material without any known defect in their catabolic pathway. In recent reconstitution experiments, we identified primary storage materials like sphingomyelin, cholesterol, lysosphingolipids, and chondroitin sulfate as strong inhibitors of sphingolipid activator proteins (like GM2 activator protein, saposin A and B), essential for the catabolism of many gangliosides and glycosphingolipids, as well as inhibitors of specific catabolic steps in lysosomal ganglioside catabolism and cholesterol turnover. In particular, they trigger a secondary accumulation of ganglioside GM2, glucosylceramide and cholesterol in Niemann–Pick disease type A and B, and of GM2 and glucosylceramide in Niemann–Pick disease type C. Chondroitin sulfate effectively inhibits GM2 catabolism in mucopolysaccharidoses like Hurler, Hunter, Sanfilippo, and Sly syndrome and causes a secondary neuronal ganglioside GM2 accumulation, triggering neurodegeneration. Secondary ganglioside and lipid accumulation is furthermore known in many more lysosomal storage diseases, so far without known molecular basis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gangliosides: Modes of Action and Cell Fates)

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18 pages, 2496 KiB

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Novel Molecular Mechanisms of Gangliosides in the Nervous System Elucidated by Genetic Engineering

by Koichi Furukawa, Yuhsuke Ohmi, Farhana Yesmin, Orie Tajima, Yuji Kondo, Pu Zhang, Noboru Hashimoto, Yuki Ohkawa, Robiul H. Bhuiyan and Keiko Furukawa

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(6), 1906; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21061906 - 11 Mar 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4270

Abstract

Acidic glycosphingolipids, i.e., gangliosides, are predominantly and consistently expressed in nervous tissues of vertebrates at high levels. Therefore, they are considered to be involved in the development and function of nervous systems. Recent studies involving genetic engineering of glycosyltransferase genes have revealed novel aspects of the roles of gangliosides in the regulation of nervous tissues. In this review, novel findings regarding ganglioside functions and their modes of action elucidated mainly by studies of gene knockout mice are summarized. In particular, the roles of gangliosides in the regulation of lipid rafts to maintain the integrity of nervous systems are reported with a focus on the roles in the regulation of neuro-inflammation and neurodegeneration via complement systems. In addition, recent advances in studies of congenital neurological disorders due to genetic mutations of ganglioside synthase genes and also in the techniques for the analysis of ganglioside functions are introduced. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gangliosides: Modes of Action and Cell Fates)

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29 pages, 3589 KiB

Open AccessReview

GM1 Ganglioside Is A Key Factor in Maintaining the Mammalian Neuronal Functions Avoiding Neurodegeneration

by Elena Chiricozzi, Giulia Lunghi, Erika Di Biase, Maria Fazzari, Sandro Sonnino and Laura Mauri

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(3), 868; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21030868 - 29 Jan 2020

Cited by 85 | Viewed by 10504

Abstract

Many species of ganglioside GM1, differing for the sialic acid and ceramide content, have been characterized and their physico-chemical properties have been studied in detail since 1963. Scientists were immediately attracted to the GM1 molecule and have carried on an ever-increasing number of studies to understand its binding properties and its neurotrophic and neuroprotective role. GM1 displays a well balanced amphiphilic behavior that allows to establish strong both hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions. The peculiar structure of GM1 reduces the fluidity of the plasma membrane which implies a retention and enrichment of the ganglioside in specific membrane domains called lipid rafts. The dynamism of the GM1 oligosaccharide head allows it to assume different conformations and, in this way, to interact through hydrogen or ionic bonds with a wide range of membrane receptors as well as with extracellular ligands. After more than 60 years of studies, it is a milestone that GM1 is one of the main actors in determining the neuronal functions that allows humans to have an intellectual life. The progressive reduction of its biosynthesis along the lifespan is being considered as one of the causes underlying neuronal loss in aged people and severe neuronal decline in neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we report on the main knowledge on ganglioside GM1, with an emphasis on the recent discoveries about its bioactive component. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gangliosides: Modes of Action and Cell Fates)

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14 pages, 797 KiB

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Dietary Control of Ganglioside Expression in Mammalian Tissues

by Tetsuya Okuda

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(1), 177; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21010177 - 26 Dec 2019

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4441

Abstract

Gangliosides are series of glycosphingolipids containing sialic acids in the oligosaccharide portion in mammalian cells. Gangliosides are a component of cellular membranes and play roles in modulating membrane function and the activity of membrane proteins. Abnormal expression and metabolism of gangliosides lead to the onset of several conditions in humans, such as neurologic diseases, diabetes, and cancer. A number of studies have been carried out to date to investigate the role of gangliosides in these diseases, and the effect of diet on tissue expression of gangliosides has recently become a topic of interest in this field. As gangliosides are degraded in the intestinal tract, ingested food-derived gangliosides are not directly absorbed into tissues in vivo, but the degradation products can be absorbed and affect ganglioside expression in the tissues. Recent studies have also shown that the expression of gangliosides in tissue cells can be indirectly induced by controlling the expression of ganglioside metabolism-related genes via the diet. These results indicate that dietary control can regulate the expression levels of gangliosides in tissues, which is expected to play a role in preventing and treating ganglioside-related diseases. This review introduces recent studies on the effect of diet on the expression of gangliosides in tissues, with a focus on our findings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gangliosides: Modes of Action and Cell Fates)

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14 pages, 966 KiB

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Effects of Gangliosides on Spermatozoa, Oocytes, and Preimplantation Embryos

by Bo Hyun Kim, Won Seok Ju, Ji-Su Kim, Sun-Uk Kim, Soon Ju Park, Sean M. Ward, Ju Hyeong Lyu and Young-Kug Choo

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(1), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21010106 - 22 Dec 2019

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3572

Abstract

Gangliosides are sialic acid-containing glycosphingolipids, which are the most abundant family of glycolipids in eukaryotes. Gangliosides have been suggested to be important lipid molecules required for the control of cellular procedures, such as cell differentiation, proliferation, and signaling. GD1a is expressed in interstitial cells during ovarian maturation in mice and exogenous GD1a is important to oocyte maturation, monospermic fertilization, and embryonic development. In this context, GM1 is known to influence signaling pathways in cells and is important in sperm–oocyte interactions and sperm maturation processes, such as capacitation. GM3 is expressed in the vertebrate oocyte cytoplasm, and exogenously added GM3 induces apoptosis and DNA injury during in vitro oocyte maturation and embryogenesis. As a consequence of this, ganglioside GT1b and GM1 decrease DNA fragmentation and act as H₂O₂ inhibitors on germ cells and preimplantation embryos. This review describes the functional roles of gangliosides in spermatozoa, oocytes, and early embryonic development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gangliosides: Modes of Action and Cell Fates)

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14 pages, 2261 KiB

Open AccessReview

Vascular Diseases and Gangliosides

by Norihiko Sasaki and Masashi Toyoda

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(24), 6362; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20246362 - 17 Dec 2019

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3604

Abstract

Vascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction, are most commonly caused by atherosclerosis, one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Risk factors for atherosclerosis include lifestyle and aging. It has been reported that lifespan could be extended in mice by targeting senescent cells, which led to the suppression of aging-related diseases, such as vascular diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the contribution of aging to vascular diseases are still not well understood. Several types of cells, such as vascular (endothelial cell), vascular-associated (smooth muscle cell and fibroblast) and inflammatory cells, are involved in plaque formation, plaque rupture and thrombus formation, which result in atherosclerosis. Gangliosides, a group of glycosphingolipids, are expressed on the surface of vascular, vascular-associated and inflammatory cells, where they play functional roles. Clarifying the role of gangliosides in atherosclerosis and their relationship with aging is fundamental to develop novel prevention and treatment methods for vascular diseases based on targeting gangliosides. In this review, we highlight the involvement and possible contribution of gangliosides to vascular diseases and further discuss their relationship with aging. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gangliosides: Modes of Action and Cell Fates)

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