Expression of the asialo GM1 determinant on murine intestinal epithelia

Murine intestinal epithelial cells were studied by flow cytometric analyses for the expression of lymphocyte-associated membrane antigens. Three lymphocyte antigens were found to be expressed at high density on most nonhematopoietic intestinal epithelial cells. These included major histocompatibility complex class II antigens, the T cell-associated CT carbohydrate determinant, and the asialo GM1 (aGM1) neutral glycolipid. Examination of aGM1 determinant density on epithelial cells, estimated by fluorescence intensity, indicated that aGM1 was expressed at levels equal to those present on lymphoid cells known to be aGM1+. The potential role for lymphocyte antigenic determinants on nonhematopoietic cells of murine epithelia with respect to local regulation of intestinal lymphocytes is discussed.