DISTRIBUTION OF BLOOD-GROUP-RELATED CARBOHYDRATE ANTIGENS ON ORAL ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS

Recent studies indicate that carbohydrate structures are involved in v arious endothelial functions such as inflammatory processes, adhesion of metastatic cells to endothelium and endothelial differentiation. In this paper we report the endothelial expression of various blood-grou p-related carbohydrate structures in normal oral mucosa using 15 diffe rent monoclonal antibodies reacting with type 1, 2 or 3 carbohydrate c hains. Twenty biopsies, including normal oral mucosa, from secretor in dividuals comprised nine blood group 0, nine A, one B and one AB. Endo thelial staining was compared with epithelial staining in the same bio psies. Five blood-group-related carbohydrate antigens were detected on endothelial cells. The H type 2 antigen, which is the precursor of A, B and AB antigens, has previously been believed to be a universal mar ker for endothelial cells. All blood group O individuals (n = 9) showe d strong H antigen staining in the endothelium of most vessels. Howeve r, of blood group A, B and AB individuals (n = 11), four showed hetero genous H antigen staining. In addition, we found that six out of ten b lood group A or AB individuals, who expressed A or A and B antigens on spinous squamous cells and glandular epithelium, showed either hetero genous or no staining for these structures on their endothelial cells. It is concluded that there are differences between the biosynthesis o f blood-group-related carbohydrate antigens in oral endothelium and ep ithelium.