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

SSEA3 and Sialyl Lewis a Glycan Expression Is Controlled by B3GALT5 LTR through Lamin A-NFYA and SIRT1-STAT3 Signaling in Human ES Cells

B3GALT5 is involved in the synthesis of embryonic stem (ES) cell marker glycan, stage-specific embryonic antigen-3 (SSEA3). This gene has three native promoters and an integrated retroviral long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter. We found that B3GALT5-LTR is expressed at high levels in human ES cells. B3GALT5-LTR is also involved in the synthesis of the cancer-associated glycan, sialyl Lewis a. Sialyl Lewis a is expressed in ES cells and its expression decreases upon differentiation. Retinoic acid induced differentiation of ES cells, decreased the short form of NFYA (NFYAs), increased phosphorylation of STAT3, and decreased B3GALT5-LTR expression. NFYAs activated, and constitutively-active STAT3 (STAT3C) repressed B3GALT5-LTR promoter. The NFYAs and STAT3C effects were eliminated when their binding sites were deleted. Retinoic acid decreased the binding of NFYA to B3GALT5-LTR promoter and increased phospho-STAT3 binding. Lamin A repressed NFYAs and SSEA3 expression. SSEA3 repression mediated by a SIRT1 inhibitor was reversed by a STAT3 inhibitor. Repression of SSEA3 and sialyl Lewis a synthesis mediated by retinoic acid was partially reversed by lamin A short interfering RNA (siRNA) and a STAT3 inhibitor. In conclusion, B3GALT5-LTR is regulated by lamin A-NFYA and SIRT1-STAT3 signaling that regulates SSEA3 and sialyl Lewis a synthesis in ES cells, and sialyl Lewis a is also a ES cell marker.

Histo-blood group glycans in the context of personalized medicine

BACKGROUND

A subset of histo-blood group antigens including ABO and Lewis are oligosaccharide structures which may be conjugated to lipids or proteins. They are known to be important recognition motifs not only in the context of blood transfusions, but also in infection and cancer development.

SCOPE OF REVIEW

Current knowledge on the molecular background and the implication of histo-blood group glycans in the prevention and therapy of infectious and non-communicable diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, is presented.

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

Glycan-based histo-blood groups are associated with intestinal microbiota composition, the risk of various diseases as well as therapeutic success of, e.g., vaccination. Their potential as prebiotic or anti-microbial agents, as disease biomarkers and vaccine targets should be further investigated in future studies. For this, recent and future technological advancements will be of particular importance, especially with regard to the unambiguous structural characterization of the glycan portion in combination with information on the protein and lipid carriers of histo-blood group-active glycans in large cohorts.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

Histo-blood group glycans have a unique linking position in the complex network of genes, oncodevelopmental biological processes, and disease mechanisms. Thus, they are highly promising targets for novel approaches in the field of personalized medicine. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Glycans in personalised medicine" Guest Editor: Professor Gordan Lauc.

Blood Groups in Infection and Host Susceptibility

Blood group antigens represent polymorphic traits inherited among individuals and populations. At present, there are 34 recognized human blood groups and hundreds of individual blood group antigens and alleles. Differences in blood group antigen expression can increase or decrease host susceptibility to many infections. Blood groups can play a direct role in infection by serving as receptors and/or coreceptors for microorganisms, parasites, and viruses. In addition, many blood group antigens facilitate intracellular uptake, signal transduction, or adhesion through the organization of membrane microdomains. Several blood groups can modify the innate immune response to infection. Several distinct phenotypes associated with increased host resistance to malaria are overrepresented in populations living in areas where malaria is endemic, as a result of evolutionary pressures. Microorganisms can also stimulate antibodies against blood group antigens, including ABO, T, and Kell. Finally, there is a symbiotic relationship between blood group expression and maturation of the gastrointestinal microbiome.

Human milk oligosaccharides and Lewis blood group: individual high-throughput sample profiling to enhance conclusions from functional studies

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) are discussed to play a crucial role in an infant's development. Lewis blood group epitopes, in particular, seem to remarkably contribute to the beneficial effects of HMO. In this regard, large-scale functional human studies could provide evidence of the variety of results from in vitro investigations, although increasing the amount and complexity of sample and data handling. Therefore, reliable screening approaches are needed. To predict the oligosaccharide pattern in milk, the routine serological Lewis blood group typing of blood samples can be applied due to the close relationship between the biosynthesis of HMO and the Lewis antigens on erythrocytes. However, the actual HMO profile of the individual samples does not necessarily correspond to the serological determinations. This review demonstrates the capabilities of merging the traditional serological Lewis blood group typing with the additional information provided by the comprehensive elucidation of individual HMO patterns by means of state-of-the-art analytics. Deduced from the association of the suggested HMO biosynthesis with the Lewis blood group, the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry profiles of oligosaccharides in individual milk samples exemplify the advantages and the limitations of sample assignment to distinct groups.

Variation of human milk oligosaccharides in relation to milk groups and lactational periods

Human milk oligosaccharides, representing the third largest fraction of human milk, have been assigned important protective functions for newborns acting as bifidogenic substrates or as inhibitory agents towards pathogens. Using high-pH anion-exchange chromatography and an enzyme test kit, twenty oligosaccharides and lactose were determined in milk samples of German women from days 3 to 90 postpartum. Twenty-two secretor mothers with Lewis blood group Le(a - b+) synthesised all twenty oligosaccharides, and could be assigned to milk group 1. Five non-secretor mothers (Le(a+b - )) produced all oligosaccharides with the exception of α1,2-fucosylated compounds (milk group 2), whereas three secretor mothers with blood type Le(a - b - ) lacked α1,4-fucosyloligosaccharides, corresponding to milk group 3. Secretor women of milk groups 1 and 3 synthesised significantly higher amounts of total neutral oligosaccharides and of several total core structures (e.g. lacto-N-tetraose) than non-secretor women. Generally, these oligosaccharides significantly decrease during the first 3 months postpartum. By comparing fucosyloligosaccharides within and among the three milk groups, insight into their biosynthesis could be gained. Six acidic oligosaccharides without fucose residues were detected in milk samples of all mothers. Regression analysis confirmed that total acidic oligosaccharides declined threefold during the study period. Milk samples corresponding to the three milk groups exhibited significant qualitative and quantitative differences during the first 3 months of lactation. It can be assumed that particularly milk of non-secretor women (milk group 2) exerts a modified biological protection in the babies in comparison with milks of secretors (groups 1 and 3).

Relationship between ABO blood groups and carcinoma of esophagus and cardia in Chaoshan inhabitants of China

AIM

To study the relationship between ABO blood groups and carcinoma of esophagus and cardia in Chaoshan inhabitants of China, which is a unique Littoral high-risk area of esophageal carcinoma in China. The poor communication and transportation in the past has made Chaoshan a relatively closed area and kept its culture and custure of old China thousand years ago.

METHODS

Data on age, sex, ABO blood type and X-ray or pathological diagnose of the patients with carcinoma of esophagus or cardia were collected from the Tumor Hospital. First Affiliated Hospital, Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College; and the Central Hospital of Shantou and the Central Hospital of Jieyang. A total of 6685 patients with esophageal carcinoma (EC) and 2955 patients with cardiac cancer (CC) in Chaoshan district were retrospectively assessed for their association with ABO blood groups.

RESULTS

The distribution of ABO blood groups in patients with EC or CC was similar to the normal local population in Chaoshan. However, blood group B in male patients with CC and in the patients with carcinoma in the upper third esophagus was 2.3% and 4.7% higher than the corresponding controls. The relative risk B O was 1.1415 (P<0.05) and 1.2696 (P<0.05), respectively. No relationship was found between ABO blood groups and tumor differentiation.

CONCLUSION

ABO blood group B is associated with the incidence of CC in male individuals and carcinoma in the upper third esophagus. The distribution of ABO blood groups varies in the different geographical and ethnic groups. As a result, proper controls are very important for such studies.

Molecular diversity in the biosynthesis of GI tract glycoconjugates. A blood-group-related chart of microorganism receptors

This paper examines the potential of carbohydrate blood-group antigens present on mucosal surfaces in acting as receptors for microorganisms. Mucosal surfaces express significant amounts of carbohydrate blood-group antigens under the control of the Secretor, Lewis and ABO systems. The exact glycoconjugate profile an individual presents to the lumen is complex, and can only be correctly determined by a combination of serology and genotyping. We have isolated and structurally resolved the glycolipids expressed in the small intestine of group O individuals having various common or rare phenotypes. Using this information, we have been able to construct a biosynthetic pathway and propose that the type, size and glycotopes expressed, are controlled to a major extent by blood-group-related glycosyltransferases. Many of these glycotopes are potential receptors for microorganisms; some resemble tumour antigens, while others resemble the lipopolysaccharides of some pathogens. Although the origins of the blood-group glycosyltransferases remain uncertain, it is evident that they significantly diversify the mucosal glycotopes exposed to microbes; and therein may be found a potential explanation for their existence.

Structural and immunochemical identification of Le(a), Le(b), H type 1, and related glycolipids in small intestinal mucosa of a group O Le(a-b-) nonsecretor

Total nonacid glycosphingolipids were isolated from small intestine mucosal scrapings of a red cell blood group O Le(a-b-) nonsecretor cadaver. Glycolipids were extracted and fractionated into five fractions based on chromatographic and immunostaining properties. These glycolipid fractions were then analysed by thin-layer chromatography 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 EI-MS/MS-TOF) and proton NMR spectroscopy. EI-MS/MS-TOF allowed for the identification of trace substances in fractions containing several other glycolipid species. Consistent with the red cell phenotype, large amounts of lactotetraosylceramide (Le(c)-4) were detected. Inconsistent with the red cell phenotype, small quantities of Le(a)-5, H-5-1 and Le(b)-6 glycolipids were immunochemically and structurally identified in the small intestine of this individual. By EI-MS/MS-TOF several large glycolipids with 9 and 10 sugar residues were also identified. The extensive carbohydrate chain elongation seen in this individual with a Lewis negative nonsecretor phenotype supports the concept that Lewis and Secretor blood group fucosylation may be a mechanism to control type 1 glycoconjugate chain extension.