The expression of the epithelial blood-group substances: normal and malignant tissues

The blood-group isoantigens are macromolecules localized to the plasma membranes of certain epithelial tissues. These substances are not detectable on the epithelium once it has undergone malignant transformation. Results of this investigation have demonstrated that the loss of detectability of the blood-group isoantigens does not appear to be related to a "masking" effect by an increase in surface sialic acid. Using fluorescein-labeled lectins specific for sugar subunits which are components of the blood-group oligosaccharide chain, it was found that the malignant cells and cells of the parabasal layer of normal oral epithelium had high levels of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAC), the subterminal sugar residue of the blood-group chain. The basal cells of normal epithelium and a minority of the malignant cells demonstrated levels of D-galactose-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, which are the most proximal blood-group sugar subunits, as well as subunits of other membrane antigens. Our results indicate that malignant cells seem to be capable of synthesizing the blood-group oligosaccharide chains to the same level as the normal cells of the parabasal layer of stratified squamous epithelium. This level is just subjacent to the terminal D-galactose residue of the blood-group precursor chain. Increased or decreased differentiation characteristics of squamous cell carcinomas did not alter the level of blood-group synthesis. However, there may be a correlation between the level of synthesis of these antigens and the ability of the cells to demonstrate motility and to proliferate.