M. Yamada et al., EXPRESSION OF A BLOOD-GROUP-B ANTIGEN-RELATED GLYCOEPITOPE IN HUMAN DORSAL-ROOT GANGLION-CELLS, Journal of the neurological sciences, 126(2), 1994, pp. 178-183
Carbohydrate epitopes of glycoconjugates are expressed on sensory neur
ons of dorsal root ganglion (DRG). A possible role of antibodies direc
ted at carbohydrate determinants of the glycoconjugates has been sugge
sted in some patients with sensory neuropathy. We investigated express
ion of blood group antigen-related epitopes in human DRG immunohistoch
emically using monoclonal antibodies to A, B, and H antigens. A blood
group B determinant [Gal alpha 1-3(Fuc alpha 1-2)Gal beta-]-related gl
ycoepitope was demonstrated in the neurons and surrounding satellite c
ells of DRG obtained from subjects with any ABO blood group phenotype.
The treatment with trypsin or chloroform/methanol prior to the immuno
staining suggested that the glycoconjugate exhibiting the blood group
B determinant-related epitope consisted mainly of glycoprotein and inc
luded glycolipid. The glycoconjugates with the blood group B determina
nt-related epitope may play a role in the physiological function and p
athophysiology of human DRG neurons.