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The expression of carbohydrate antigens in activated T cells and in autoimmune diseases

F Fortune1, J Walker, M Lefrancois

  • 1UMDS Department of Immunology, Guy's Hospital, London, UK.

Scandinavian Journal of Immunology
|December 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Cell surface carbohydrate antigens, like GalNAc, are involved in immune cell regulation. Their expression increased on lymphocytes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and upon activation in healthy individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Glycobiology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Cell surface carbohydrate antigens are crucial for cell differentiation, maturation, and immune regulation.
  • Expression patterns of these antigens on peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) are not fully understood, particularly in autoimmune diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression of specific carbohydrate antigens (recognized by MoAbs CT1, CT2, and Vicia villosa lectin) on lymphocytes from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Behcet's disease (BD), and IgA nephropathy.
  • To explore the role of these carbohydrate antigens in lymphocyte activation and their relationship with N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc).

Main Methods:

  • Double immunofluorescence flow cytometry was used to analyze PBL from healthy subjects and patients with autoimmune diseases.
  • Monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) CT1, CT2, and Vicia villosa (VV) lectin, specific for GalNAc, were employed.
  • Lymphocyte activation was induced using phytohemagglutinin (PHA), anti-CD3 antibody, and a 65kDa heat shock protein.

Main Results:

  • A significant increase in MoAbs CT1, CT2, and VV binding was observed on CD4+ or CD8+ T cells from SLE patients compared to other disease groups and healthy controls.
  • Lymphocyte activation in healthy subjects led to a significant upregulation of MoAbs CT1, CT2, and VV binding.
  • Inhibition studies confirmed that VV shares a binding site with MoAbs CT1/CT2 and that GalNAc is likely involved in the binding.

Conclusions:

  • Increased expression of GalNAc-related carbohydrate antigens on T cells is a potential biomarker for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
  • These carbohydrate antigens are modulated during lymphocyte activation, suggesting a role in immune responses.
  • Carbohydrate antigens on lymphocytes may play a significant role in immune regulation and activation processes in both health and disease.

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