Neoexpression of ABH and Lewis blood group antigens in human hepatocellular carcinomas

Expression of blood group ABH, Lewis, and sialylated-Lea antigens in human hepatocellular carcinomas and the adjacent nontumorous liver tissues was investigated with the use of seven monoclonal antibodies against these carbohydrate determinants. Chromatogram antibody-binding assay and solid-phase enzyme immunoassay of the upper-phase neutral glycolipids revealed the tumor-associated expression of blood group A-active glycolipids incompatible with blood-type status of the patients, a blood group A-active glycolipid with mobility on thin-layer chromatography between the known 6- and 8-sugar blood group A-active glycolipids in human erythrocytes, blood group H-active glycolipids, and blocked synthesis of Lea-active glycolipids with or without concomitant accumulation of Leb-active glycolipids. Immunohistochemical analysis of the fixed tissues with the use of an avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method revealed blood group antigens in biliary epithelial cells but not in parenchymal liver cells. However, hepatocellular carcinoma cells in some cases expressed H and Leb antigens. Although only type 1 chain H antigen was detected in biliary epithelial cells, both type 1 and type 2 chain H antigens were found in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.