[Lewis antigens in human colon carcinoma]

Aberrant glycosylation is a common phenomenon accompanying colon carcinoma progression. The changes observed include increased expression of Lewis blood group family antigens, particularly Lex, sialyl Lex and sialyl Lexa. Recently it was shown that these antigenic epitopes may play an important role in cell-cell homotypic as well as heterotypic adhesive interactions. This work presents a phenotypic characteristic of 11 human colon carcinoma cell lines of different degree of differentiation. Expression of potential ligands for endogenous cellular lectins: Lewis antigens, CEA and CD44v6 antigens was evaluated by cytofluorimetry. The aim of the work is to select adhesive and invasive colon carcinoma cells with specified cell surface antigen pattern, for studies on adhesive interactions with endothelial cells, occurring during early steps of metastasis.