title: Le(a) and Le(b) tissue glycosphingolipids.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Le(a) and Le(b) antigens are synthesized by cells making exocrine secretions, but it is not well-defined where plasma and red cell Le(a) and Le(b) antigens are made.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study uses chromatographic and immunochemical methods to extract Le(a) and Le(b) glycolipids from human tissues.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Le(a) and Le(b) antigens may be synthesized by both epithelial and mesodermal tissues. Expression of Lewis transferase activity was demonstrated in various tissues, confirming the epistatic interaction by Le and H genes to form the Leb antigen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Le(a) and Le(b) substances found in plasma might originate from the epithelial cells of the digestive tract.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Gdansk Medical School, Poland.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hauser
mesh_terms: D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D006028:Glycosphingolipids / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000378:metabolism; D009928:Organ Specificity
chemical_list: D006028:Glycosphingolipids; D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens