title: Expression of a blood group B antigen-related glycoepitope in human dorsal root ganglion cells.
abstract: Carbohydrate epitopes of glycoconjugates are expressed on sensory neurons of dorsal root ganglion (DRG). A possible role of antibodies directed at carbohydrate determinants of the glycoconjugates has been suggested in some patients with sensory neuropathy. We investigated expression of blood group antigen-related epitopes in human DRG immunohistochemically using monoclonal antibodies to A, B, and H antigens. A blood group B determinant [Gal alpha 1-3(Fuc alpha 1-2)Gal beta-]-related glycoepitope was demonstrated in the neurons and surrounding satellite cells of DRG obtained from subjects with any ABO blood group phenotype. The treatment with trypsin or chloroform/methanol prior to the immunostaining suggested that the glycoconjugate exhibiting the blood group B determinant-related epitope consisted mainly of glycoprotein and included glycolipid. The glycoconjugates with the blood group B determinant-related epitope may play a role in the physiological function and pathophysiology of human DRG neurons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yuki
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kamata
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Itoh
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyatake
mesh_terms: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000939:Epitopes; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D006001:Glycoconjugates / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007120:Immunochemistry; D007519:Isoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D010641:Phenotype
chemical_list: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000939:Epitopes; D006001:Glycoconjugates; D007519:Isoantigens