A new way of chemical blood-typing of human single individuals. Identification of a blood group Leb-active glycosphingolipid in plasma by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy

Characterization of sheep erythrocyte glycosphingolipids recognized by human anti-Forssman antibodies

The FORS histo-blood group system is the most recently discovered carbohydrate-based human blood group system. FORS is a rare blood group system, and most individuals have naturally occurring anti-FORS1 antibodies in plasma. Screening for anti-FORS1 antibodies is often done by hemagglutination assays using FORS1-expressing sheep erythrocytes, since FORS1-positive human erythrocytes are most often not available. Here, we have characterized the non-acid glycosphingolipids from sheep erythrocytes and isolated subfractions, with mass spectrometry, binding of antibodies and lectins, and by enzymatic hydrolysis. This demonstrated the presence of Forssman and Galili pentaosylceramides, and a Galili heptaosylceramide. Two complex glycosphingolipids recognized by human anti-FORS1 antibodies were characterized as a Forssman neolacto hybrid hexaosylceramide (GalNAcα3GalNAcβ3Galβ4GlcNAcβ3Galβ4Glcβ1Cer) and a Forssman Galili hybrid heptaosylceramide (GalNAcα3GalNAcβ3Galα3Galβ4GlcNAcβ3Galβ4Glcβ1Cer). These are novel glycosphingolipid structures, and to our knowledge, the first case of an elongated Galili antigen. Thus, the anti-Forssman antibodies in human serum bind not only to the classical Forssman pentaosylceramide (GalNAcα3GalNAcβ3Galα4Galβ4Glcβ1Cer), but also when the GalNAcα3GalNAcβ3 sequence is presented on a neolacto core chain and even on a Galili carbohydrate sequence.

Structural and immunochemical identification of Leb glycolipids in the plasma of a group O Le(a-b-) secretor

Total non-acid glycosphingolipids were isolated from the plasma of a healthy red blood cell group O Le(a-b-) salivary ABH secretor individual. Glycolipids were fractionated by HPLC and combined into eight fractions based on chromatographic and immunoreactive properties. These glycolipid fractions were analysed by thin-layer chromatography and tested for Lewis activity with antibodies reactive to the type 1 precursor (Le(c)), H type 1 (Le(d)), Le(a) and Le(b) epitopes. Fractions were structurally characterized by mass spectrometry (EI-MS and LSIMS) and proton NMR spectroscopy. Expected blood group glycolipids, such as H type 1, (Fuc alpha 1-2Gal beta 1-3GlcNac beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Glc beta 1-1Cer) were immunochemically and structurally identified. Inconsistent with the red cell phenotype and for the first time, small quantities of Le(b) blood group glycolipids (Fuc alpha 1-2Gal beta 1-3(Fuc alpha 1-4)GlcNAc beta 1-4Glc beta 1-1Cer) were immunochemically and structurally identified in the plasma of a Lewis-negative individual. These findings confirm recent immunological evidence suggesting the production of small amounts of Lewis antigens by Lewis negative individuals.

Detection and characterization of Lewis antigens in plasma of Lewis-negative individuals. Evidence of chain extension as a result of reduced fucosyltransferase competition

Nonacid plasma glycolipids from Lewis-negative individuals of nonsecretor, partial-secretor and secretor phenotypes were prepared and separated by thin-layer chromatography and immunostained with radiolabelled Lewis antibodies. Lewis-positive plasma and intestinal epithelial cell glycolipids from Caucasians representing the four recognized Lewis and secretor combined phenotypes were used as controls. By presenting these purified total glycolipids in a cell-free environment to Lewis antibodies we were able to demonstrate the presence of small amounts of Lewis antigens in Lewis-negative individuals. It is shown that lactotetraosylceramide and extended precursor glycolipids are present in all Le(a-b-) nonsecretors. Le(a) was detected in 1 of the 3 Le(a-b-) nonsecretor plasmas and in the intestinal sample of the same phenotype. Lactotetraosylceramide was absent but H type 1 and Le(b) were both present in all group O Le(a-b-) secretors, and extended H type 1 reactive structures were also found in the partial secretor. These results clearly demonstrate that although the Lewis-negative phenotype exists at the serological level, this phenotype is not an 'all-or-nothing' phenomenon at the chemical level. We also show that in the presence of reduced fucosyltransferase activity, increased elongation of the precursor chain occurs, which allows us to postulate that fucosylation of the precursor prevents or at least markedly reduces chain elongation.

Plasma and red-cell glycolipid patterns of Le(a+b+) and Le(a+b-) Polynesians as further evidence of the weak secretor gene Se(w)

Monoclonal antibodies and thin-layer chromatography were used to study the unusual erythrocyte Lewis phenotypes found in healthy Polynesians. A single monoclonal anti-Leb reagent 073 (clone LM129) was found which could detect Leb antigen on the Polynesian erythrocytes of samples that were unreactive with various polyclonal and monoclonal anti-Leb reagents. Glycolipid fractions prepared from the plasma and erythrocytes of selected Polynesian samples of red-cell Le(a-b-), Le(a+b-) and Le(a+b+) phenotypes were found to have Leb glycolipids. The Leb antigen in some individuals is so weakly expressed that it is undetectable by routine erythrocyte phenotyping. Unusually large glycolipids bearing the Leb epitope were also found in some Polynesian samples, although the contribution of these novel glycolipids to phenotyping is unclear. The inability to detect Leb by routine methods and the presence of novel structures can be partially explained in terms of the presence of a weak secretor gene Se(w).

Electron ionization-tandem mass spectrometry of glycosphingolipids. I: The identiftcation of compound-specific sequence ions in the collision-induced dissociation spectra of the immonium ions of two isomeric hexaglycosylceramides

A permethylated-reduced hexaglycosylceramide in a complex glycolipid mixture isolated from a unique human tissue has been identified by using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The mass spectrum of this glycolipid mixture, obtained by using in-beam electron ionization, is very complex, and fragment ions derived from the hexaglycosylceramide cannot be distinguished from other ions. Tandem mass spectrometry using a four-sector mass spectrometer gave the mass spectrum of the immonium ion of the permethylated-reduced hexaglycosykeramide (m / z 1645.8), which is characteristic of its structure. Comparison of this MS/MS spectrum with those of two similarly derivatized blood group hexaglycosylceramide isomers permitted identification of the unknown glycolipid structure.

Structures of the eight- to nine-sugar glycolipids of human blood group A erythrocytes

Two glycolipid fractions, isolated in 1975 from blood group A1 erythrocytes and shown on the basis of direct-inlet mass spectrometry to contain eight- and nine-sugar A-type sequences, have been reinvestigated by fast-atom-bombardment mass spectrometry and overlay analysis with selected monoclonal anti-A antibodies. The presence of three separate glycolipids was concluded, consistent with a common paragloboside backbone [beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1----3)-beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-D-Glc] and a typical erythrocyte ceramide component (sphingosine, and 22-, 23-, 24-, and 25-carbon nonhydroxy fatty acids). It is proposed that they carry A determinants based on Type 1 [beta-D-Galp-(1----3)-beta-D-GlcpNAc], Type 2 [beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc], and Type 3 [beta-D-Galp-(1----3)-alpha-D-GalpNAc] chains, respectively. The Type 1 (eight sugars) and Type 3 (nine sugars) glycolipids appeared in mixtures of both the native and the acetylated form. The existence of Type 1 glycolipid, which appears to be a genuine erythrocyte glycolipid as concluded from the ceramide composition, had been predicted earlier by other workers.

Intestinal-type glycosphingolipids in urine from patients with enterocutaneous urinary diversions

Ureteroenterocutaneous stoma is a surgical procedure for urinary diversion by which an intestinal segment is used as a conduit or reservoir for the urine. The intestinal mucosa continues to produce a mucous gel containing desquamated epithelial cells. This mucous gel is easily obtainable from the urine. Glycosphingolipids were isolated from such gels and analyzed with immunological methods using a thin-layer chromatography overlay assay and mass spectrometry. The glycosphingolipids obtained mainly belong to the lacto-type I series comprising ABH, Lea, and Leb determinants. These observations support the intestinal origin of the glycosphingolipids. A regional distribution of the ABH and Lewis antigens, which is in accordance with previous immunohistochemical findings, was observed.

Studies on the binding of bacteria to glycolipids. Two species of Propionibacterium apparently recognize separate epitopes on lactose of lactosylceramide

Two species of Propionibacterium were analysed regarding their binding to glycosphingolipids. Bacteria were labeled with 125I and selective interaction with glycolipids on thin-layer chromatograms was revealed by autoradiography. The carbohydrate site in common for active molecular species appeared to be lactose. The two bacteria differed, however, in the overall binding pattern on the chromatogram, probably due to recognition of separate epitopes on lactose. P. freudenreichii bound only to lactosylceramide while P. granulosum also recognized substituted lactosylceramide: Gal alpha 1----3Gal beta 1----4Glc beta Cer, GlcNAc beta 1----3Gal beta 1----4Glc beta Cer and Gal beta 1----3GlcNAc beta 1----3Gal beta 1----4Glc beta Cer were active, but Gal-alpha 1----4Gal beta 1----4Glc beta Cer was inactive. Also, there was an interesting dependence on ceramide structure in the case of lactosylceramide. P. freudenreichii bound to lactosylceramide with sphingosine and non-hydroxy fatty acids but not to species with sphingosine and 2-hydroxy fatty acids, phytosphingosine and non-hydroxy fatty acids or phytosphingosine and 2-hydroxy fatty acids. For P. granulosum the situation was reversed. This may be explained by an influence of ceramide structure on the presentation of the two lactose epitopes at the assay surface. These results were supported by curves from the binding of labeled bacteria to glycolipids coated in microtiter wells and in part by binding to glycolipid-coated chicken erythrocytes.

Identification of a blood group A active hexaglycosylceramide with a type 1 carbohydrate chain in plasma of an A1 Le(a-b-) secretor

A blood group A active hexaglycosylceramide with a type 1 carbohydrate chain was identified in the plasma of an A1 Le(a-b-) secretor. The analysis was done on the total non-acid glycosphingolipid fraction using mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy, and anti-A antibody immunostaining on thin-layer chromatograms.

Heterogeneity of anti-A and anti-B monoclonal reagents. Agglutination of some weak ABH erythrocyte variants and recognition of synthetic oligosaccharide and tissue antigens

Eight anti-A and seven anti-B monoclonal reagents were tested in parallel, with normal and weak ABH red cell phenotypes. A whole range of different reactivity patterns was found, but by making a comparison with the results obtained using polyclonal standard reagents, two major categories of reagents were distinguished: (a) stronger and more specific reagents, and (b) reagents similar to, or weaker than, the standard polyclonal controls. The analysis of the specificity of the reagents by tissue fluorescence staining and reactivity with synthetic oligosaccharides and purified glycolipids confirmed the existence of broad and restricted specificities. Two kinds of anti-A1 reagents are described. One related to type 3/4 structures, which stains the Golgi apparatus, and another with broad anti-A specificity which cross-reacts with 'A-like' structures. The inhibition of anti-A reagents with salivas and synthetic oligosaccharide antigens gave parallel results for the secretor salivas and the difucosylated A antigens.

Mouse monoclonal antibodies with specificity for the melanoma-associated ganglioside disialyllactosylceramide (GD3) also react with the structural analogue disialylparagloboside

A mouse monoclonal IgM antibody, 4.2, has previously been shown to bind preferentially to the surface of human malignant melanoma cells and to have specificity for the GD3 ganglioside (NeuAc alpha 2----8NeuAc alpha 2----3Gal beta 1----4GlcCer). Using overlay of antibodies on thin-layer chromatograms with glycolipids of various sources, it was shown that antibody 4.2, a further IgM and two IgG3 mouse monoclonal antibodies, selected on the basis of reactivity with GD3, also bound with similar strength to the structural analogue NeuAc alpha 2----8NeuAc alpha 2----3Gal beta 1----4GlcNac beta 1----3Gal beta 1----4GlcCer or disialylparagloboside. The SK-MEL 28 melanoma cell line used for immunization was shown to contain a large amount of GD3 but to lack disialylparagloboside. The demonstrated cross-reactivity may be of importance when considering the use of these antibodies for biochemical and medical purposes.

Detection of blood group type glycosphingolipid antigens on thin-layer plates using polyclonal antisera

The conditions for binding of antibodies to glycosphingolipids separated on a thin-layer plate have been optimized for polyclonal antisera. The method has a broad detection range with low background staining. Examples are shown for the detection of blood group A and B active glycosphingolipids.

Carbohydrate-specific adhesion of bacteria to thin-layer chromatograms: a rationalized approach to the study of host cell glycolipid receptors

Conditions have been adapted for the binding of intact bacteria to glycosphingolipids in a thin-layer chromatogram. Bacteria labeled externally with 125I or metabolically with other isotopes are layered on the plate and after repeated washing the bound bacteria are detected by autoradiography. Using this technique several kinds of bacteria have been shown to adhere to the plate in a carbohydrate-specific way with practically no background binding. Among the advantages of the method is the possible detection of a minor receptor component of a complex mixture extracted from a target cell, facilitating the isolation of the receptor for structural studies. In addition, the multivalent solid-phase presentation of the receptor candidate should also reveal low-affinity binding sites, which may escape detection in traditional inhibition experiments with soluble oligosaccharides.

Solid-phase biosynthesis on high performance thin-layer plates of blood group glycosphingolipids II

A new method for the study of carbohydrate chain biosynthesis of amphipathic glycosphingolipids is presented. The method takes advantage of the thin-layer plate which is used as a solid matrix for precursor glycosphingolipids in biosynthetic experiments after chromatographic development of the precursor sample. The method is shown to be simple, fast and sensitive. It minimizes the risk of adding unwanted exogenous precursors and abolishes the need for tedious purification of products after incubation. The method opens up new possibilities for the biosynthetic study of mixtures of glycosphingolipids.

Chemical fingerprinting of glycosphingolipids in meconium of a human blood group O Le(a-b+) secretor

Studying blood group polymorphism, as expressed in intestinal tissue of single individuals, total non-acid glycosphingolipids of meconium of individual human newborns have been prepared. Silicic acid column chromatography of the acetylated derivatives were used for a stepwise separation into four groups of glycolipids from each individual meconium. By the combined use of mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy of permethylated and LiA1H4-reduced, permethylated derivatives and by immunology of the native fractions all the major glycolipids were identified, although in mixtures. The interest was focused on fucolipids known to be strictly regulated by the ABO, H, Le and Se genes. The fucosylated glycolipids of an O Le (a-b+) secretor child were dominated by blood group H-active and Lewis-active mon- and difucosyl compounds with 5-6 sugar residues and having a core lactotetraosyl structure. The lipophilic part was dominated by 2-hydroxy fatty acids with 16 and 20-24 carbon atoms bounds to either sphingosine of phytosphingosine.

Extended performance using a high field magnet mass spectrometer

The development of a high field magnet for high mass electron impact, chemical ionization, field desorption and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometric studies is described. Its utility is illustrated with examples from structural studies of vitamin B12 biosynthetic intermediates, oligosaccharides, glycopeptides and the bleomycin antibiotics. The technique has also greatly assisted sequence studies of protein derived peptides.