title: Glycoconjugates in sweat glands and other structures of skin from normal and cystic fibrosis subjects.
abstract: In this study, glycoconjugates of human skin varied in structure between cell types in an individual and often between individuals for a given cell type. Stored secretory material in dark cells of the sweat gland coil contained complex carbohydrate with terminal alpha-galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, fucose, or sialic acid. The plasmalemma of clear cells in the secretory coil stained conspicuously for terminal alpha-N-acetylgalactosamine, and the cytosol of clear cells contained lectin-reactive glycogen in the majority of specimens. Superficial and deep cells of the sweat duct evidenced plasmalemmal glycoconjugate with terminal N-acetylgalactosamine. However, only the superficial cell plasmalemma in the duct stained for terminal alpha-N-acetylgalactosamine, fucose, and sialic acid. In several specimens, only the deep cells in the sweat duct revealed plasmalemmal glycoconjugate with terminal beta-galactose. Sebaceous glands alone displayed lectin affinity demonstrative of terminal alpha-galactose and like other sites stained for terminal beta-galactose and alpha-N-acetylgalactosamine. The epithelium in epidermis and hair follicles appeared similar, except for epidermis failing to evidence fucose and alpha-N-acetylgalactosamine with certain lectins. Both underwent changes in glycoconjugate composition with cell maturation. Skin from control subjects and patients with cystic fibrosis did not differ in lectin-binding properties. Abnormalities observed in cystic fibrosis specimens included decreased volume of sebaceous glands and, in two cases, increased infiltration of macrophages staining for terminal N-acetylgalactosamine.
mesh_terms: D000116:Acetylgalactosamine / Q000378:metabolism; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001050:Apocrine Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D004439:Eccrine Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D004727:Endothelium / Q000378:metabolism; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D037102:Lectins / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012627:Sebaceous Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D006023:Glycoproteins; D037102:Lectins; D000116:Acetylgalactosamine