Alteration of serum N-glycan profile in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis

Abstract Objectives The aims of this study were to determine the change in whole-serum N-glycan profile in autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) patients and to investigate its clinical utility. Methods We collected serum from 21 AIP patients before any treatment, and from 60 healthy volunteers (HLTs). Serum glycan profile was measured by comprehensive and quantitative high-throughput glycome analysis. Results Of the 53 glycans detected, 14 were differentially expressed in AIP patients. Pathway analysis demonstrated that agalactosyl and monogalactosyl bi-antennary glycans were elevated in AIP patients. Among the 14 glycans, #3410, #3510, and #4510 showed high area under receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) values (0.955, 0.964, and 0.968 respectively) for the diagnosis of AIP. These three glycans were mainly bound to immunoglobulin G; however, their serum levels were significantly higher, even in AIP patients who showed lower serum IgG4 levels, than in HLTs. Conclusions We demonstrated, for the first time, whole-serum glycan profiles of AIP patients and showed that the levels of glycans #3410, #3510, and #4510 were increased in AIP patients. These glycans might be valuable biomarkers of AIP.