Alpha 2,3-specific desialylation of human red cells: effect on the autoantigens of the Pr, Sa and Sia-l1, -b1, -lb1 series.
OBJECTIVE
Pr1,2,3, PrM, Sa and Sia-l1, -b1, -lb1 are sialic acid (NeuNAc)-dependent antigens recognized by human cold agglutinins. Pr and Sa antigens are the O-glycans of glycophorins containing alpha 2,3NeuNAc (to galactose) and/or alpha 2,6NeuNAc (to galactosamine). The antigens of the Sia-l1, -b1, -lb1 complex are gangliosides that may carry alpha 2,3NeuNAc (to galactose) and/or alpha 2,8NeuNAc (to NeuNAc). We studied the NeuNAc groups involved in the antigens.


METHODS
From 74 sera with cold agglutinins against NeuNAc-dependent antigens, anti-T-free preparations were made and tested against human red cells, treated with an alpha 2,3-specific recombinant sialidase.


RESULTS
Most (51/62) Pr antigens use alpha 2,3NeuNAc, some (8/62) use alpha 2,6NeuNAc and a few (3/62) use both sialyl groups as immunodominant components on glycophorins. The immunodominant component of Sa and Sia-l1, -b1, -lb1 determinants was alpha 2,3NeuNAc in all cases.


CONCLUSIONS
The red cell target structures for cold agglutinins against NeuNAc-dependent antigens have been identified. We propose a Pr nomenclature to reflect this. The binding of anti-Pr to gangliosides may be the basis for anti-Pr-induced peripheral neuropathy.
Roelcke
D
D
Institute for Immunology, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
Hack
H
H
Kreft
H
H
Gross
H J
HJ
D001324:Autoantigens / Q000187:drug effects; D001789:Blood Group Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D000939:Epitopes; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005732:Gangliosides / Q000276:immunology; D006021:Glycophorins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid / Q000276:immunology; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000494:pharmacology; D012794:Sialic Acids / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology
D001324:Autoantigens; D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D000939:Epitopes; D005732:Gangliosides; D006021:Glycophorins; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes; D012794:Sialic Acids; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins; D009439:Neuraminidase; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid