Mucin-type carbohydrates (type 3 chain antigens) in normal cycling human endometrium.
Carbohydrates related to the ABO, Tn, and T blood group systems are markers of cellular differentiation in many epithelial tissues. Using a panel of specific monoclonal antibodies, we have immunohistochemically investigated the expression of mucin-type (type 3 chain ABO-related) antigens in 64 samples of normal cycling endometria of known ABO and Lewis blood type. Tn and T antigens had a highly restricted expression in normal cycling endometrial tissue. The expression of type 3 chain H and A antigens was always compatible with the ABO blood type of the individual and seems to be regulated by the secretor genes, as secretors [Lewis (a-b+)] expressed more A and H type 3 chains than nonsecretors [Lewis (a+b-)]. The expression of type 3 chain H and A, sialyl-Tn and sialyl-T antigens showed cyclic variations in the glandular epithelium of the functionalis, but not of the basalis layer of cycling endometrium. A hormonal regulation of the enzymes involved in blood group-related carbohydrate chain elongation in human endometrium is thus possible and may participate in the specialized secretory process of human cycling endometrium.
Ravn
V
V
Department of Pathology, University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Teglbjaerg
C S
CS
Visfeldt
J
J
Bock
J E
JE
Sørensen
H
H
Dabelsteen
E
E
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000276:immunology*; D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis*; D004187:Disaccharides / Q000032:analysis; D004717:Endometrium / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D009077:Mucins / Q000032:analysis*; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000494:pharmacology
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D000941:Antigens; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D002241:Carbohydrates; D004187:Disaccharides; D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens; D009077:Mucins; C040286:Tn antigen; C016467:Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen; D009439:Neuraminidase