The viral sugar-coated bullet: how glycosylation fuels immune evasion

Viral antigen glycosylation is a central strategy for immune evasion. This review summarizes how viruses utilize glycosylation to form a "glycan shield" that occludes critical epitopes and to achieve molecular mimicry by imitating host "self" signals, thereby avoiding immune recognition. The article focuses on analyzing the challenges glycosylation poses to vaccine design, including heterogeneity, epitope masking, and dynamic evolution, as well as the obstacles it creates for antibody drugs, such as steric hindrance and drug resistance. Finally, it outlines future directions for overcoming this "glycan fortress" through cutting-edge analytical technologies, innovative intervention strategies, and artificial intelligence, offering insights for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies.