Stage-specific embryonic antigens (SSEA-3 and -4) are epitopes of a unique globo-series ganglioside isolated from human teratocarcinoma cells.
Two monoclonal antibodies (MC631 and MC813-70) raised against 4- to 8-cell stage mouse embryos and a human teratocarcinoma cell line, respectively, detect the stage-specific embryonic antigens, the previously defined SSEA-3 and SSEA-4, described herein. These antibodies were both reactive with a unique globo-series ganglioside with the structure shown below: (formula; see text) The antibodies were found to recognize sequential regions of this ganglioside, i.e., MC813-70 recognizes the terminal 'a' structure whereas antibody MC631 recognizes the internal 'b' structure. Thus, a set of two antibodies defines this unique embryonic antigen. During differentiation of human teratocarcinoma 2102Ep cells, the globo-series glycolipids defined by these antibodies decrease and the lacto-series glycolipids, reacting with the SSEA-1 antibody appear. This antigenic conversion suggests that a shift of glycolipid synthesis from globo-series to lacto-series glycolipids occurs during differentiation of human teratocarcinoma and perhaps of pre-implantation mouse embryos.
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000276:immunology; D002236:Carbohydrate Conformation; D002240:Carbohydrate Sequence; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016256:Lewis X Antigen; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D009865:Oocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013045:Species Specificity; D013724:Teratoma / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D006017:Glycolipids; D016256:Lewis X Antigen