Blood group type glycosphingolipids of human cord blood erythrocytes

The non-acid glycosphingolipids of cord blood erythrocytes, pooled from blood groups O and A respectively, were characterized by mass spectrometry in combination with immunologic and thin-layer chromatographic analyses. The glycosphingolipid pattern was compared to that of adult erythrocytes. Just as for adult blood, the major glycosphingolipid species were lactosylceramide and globotetraosylceramide (globoside). The triglycosylceramide fraction was quantitatively smaller in cord red blood cells and was also enriched in a triglycosylceramide with a terminal hexosamine, as conclusively shown by mass spectrometry. The amount of blood group A and H active glycosphingolipids appeared to be less in cord blood cells compared to adult cells was glycolipids with longer, probably branched chain structures were not detected. In contrast, increased amounts of penta- and hexaglycosylceramides lacking fucose and possibly being biosynthetic precursor substances to the ordinary blood group A and H glycosphingolipids were found typical for cord blood cells.