Changes in the expression of sialyl-Lewisx, a hepatic necroinflammation-associated carbohydrate neoantigen, in human hepatocellular carcinomas.
BACKGROUND
Malignant transformation of cells is associated with the change in their carbohydrate antigens. Sialyl-Lewisx (SLEX) is a necroinflammation-associated carbohydrate antigen (NICA) of liver cells, because it is newly expressed in chronic inflammatory liver diseases. The authors addressed whether this type of carbohydrate antigen shows cancer-associated changes.


METHODS
Expression of SLEX and its related structures was studied immunohistochemically using the well characterized monoclonal antibodies in 13 small and 6 advanced hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC).


RESULTS
SLEX was negative in 7 small HCC, which were well differentiated histologically. Both negative and positive cells were observed in 6 other small HCC. When positive, SLEX was expressed membranously or cytoplasmically. The membrane positive HCC cells were well differentiated. Cytoplasmic expression was observed in the less differentiated cells. The SLEX-negative cells were associated with any degree of differentiation. In six advanced HCC, the expression of SLEX could also be correlated with their histologic differentiation. HCC expressed sialyl-type 2 chain N-acetyllactosamine (2-NAcLc), but not 2-NAcLc, Lewisx, and Lewisy.


CONCLUSIONS
SLEX, a NICA, showed HCC-associated changes that were dependent on the levels of HCC cell differentiation. Suppression and reactivation of alpha 1-3fucosyl-transferase was a possible enzymatic basis for the observed changes.
Okada
Y
Y
Department of Nutritional Science, Faculty of Health and Welfare Science, Okayama Prefectural University, Japan.
Jin-no
K
K
Ikeda
H
H
Sakai
N
N
Sotozono
M
M
Yonei
T
T
Nakanishi
S
S
Moriwaki
S
S
Tsuji
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000235:genetics*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D016256:Lewis X Antigen / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D016256:Lewis X Antigen; C069719:sialosyl dimeric Le(x) antigen