Ontogenic expression of histo-blood group antigens in the intestines of suckling pigs: lectin histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis.
The expression of intestinal histo-blood group AO and related antigens was investigated in piglets during an 8 week suckling period. Lectin histochemical and immunohistochemical analyses were undertaken on sections of resin-embedded intestinal tissue and semi-quantitative scoring systems were adopted for categories of lectins and monoclonal antibodies reactive with carbohydrate moieties present in core, backbone and terminal oligosaccharide sequences of histo-blood group antigens. Distinct age-related changes were observed in the terminal glycosylation of both secretory and membrane glycoconjugates. Histo-blood group A antigen was identified in intestinal mucin 5 weeks after birth and the precursor H antigen was found in goblet cells at week 1. H antigen was undetectable on intestinal membranes during the first 3 weeks of suckling but a conspicuous and sustained level of this form of fucosylation was apparent during the latter half of the suckling period. More complex membrane glycosylation involving further fucosylation and/or the expression of A antigen, was evident in the latter part of the suckling period. These temporal changes in membrane and secretory glycosylation may be physiologically important during intestinal adaptation and development in young pigs.
Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, UK.
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D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000833:Animals, Suckling; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D001789:Blood Group Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D002240:Carbohydrate Sequence; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006031:Glycosylation; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development; D037102:Lectins; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D013552:Swine / Q000254:growth & development
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000941:Antigens; D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D006023:Glycoproteins; D037102:Lectins