Expression of ABH and X (Lex) antigens in various cells.
Using a panel of reagents specific to the various subtypes of ABH antigens, it could be demonstrated that platelets carry ABH type 2 monofucosylated determinants on intrinsic glycoproteins. The presence of these antigens is controlled by the H gene and correlates with the presence of alpha-2-L-fucosyltransferase and the absence of alpha-3-L-fucosyltransferase. In contrast, intrinsic ABH antigens were not found on mononuclear cells, correlating with the absence of alpha-2-L-fucosyltransferase on these cells. However, after transformation with the Epstein-Barr virus and stimulation with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-O-acetate (TPA), B lymphocytes were found to express the H antigen under control of the H gene and not the Se gene. The lymphoblastoid cell lines also expressed the X and sialylated X antigens which are normally markers of the myeloid lineage. These antigens are also normally found in epithelial cells of the digestive tract, kidney proximal convoluted tubules and hepatocytes. The alpha-3-L-fucosyltransferase responsible for the synthesis of this antigen is present in the serum but we report the existence of two individuals, a mother and her daughter, who lack more than 90% of this serum enzyme. The young girl suffers from a congenital kidney anomaly: oligomeganephronic hypoplasia. Her kidney tubules are devoid of X antigen. However, she and her mother have the X antigen on their granulocytes and its sialylated form on their monocytes. It therefore appears that there are distinct genetic controls for the expression of antigen X in different body compartments. This would be quite similar to the H and Se gene controls in tissues of distinct embryological origins.
Le Pendu
J
J
INSERM U211, Nantes, France.
Caillard
T
T
Mollicone
R
R
Couillin
P
P
Oriol
R
R
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005647:Fucosyltransferases / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007519:Isoantigens / Q000235:genetics; D007668:Kidney / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000201:enzymology; D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D009030:Mosaicism; D005810:Multigene Family; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D007519:Isoantigens; D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens; D005647:Fucosyltransferases; C031692:galactoside 3-fucosyltransferase