Visualization of carbohydrate-binding molecules expressed by myelomono- and erythropoietic cells derived from human bone marrow: An immunoenzymatic double-staining study
Se. Baldus et al., Visualization of carbohydrate-binding molecules expressed by myelomono- and erythropoietic cells derived from human bone marrow: An immunoenzymatic double-staining study, HISTOCHEM J, 32(1), 2000, pp. 27-32
Interactions between human haematopoietic and bone marrow stromal cells are
governed by complex carbohydrate-mediated adhesion processes. In order to
evaluate corresponding carbohydrate-binding sites on human myelo- and eryth
ropoietic cells which were able to react with mono- or oligosaccharides, we
established an immunocytochemical double-staining assay. In a first step,
cell lineages were visualized using Lewis(x) (CD15) or glycophorin C-specif
ic monoclonal antibodies. The second step included polyacrylamide-conjugate
d carbohydrate structures. According to our results, the carbohydrate-bindi
ng potential of granulopoietic cells increased during the process of matura
tion, contrasting a reduction of carbohydrate-binding sites on erythroid pr
ecursor cells during differentiation. With respect to previous in vitro stu
dies, these findings shed some light on certain aspects of bone marrow homi
ng as well as on the trafficking of mature cellular elements into circulati
on. It is tempting to speculate that carbohydrate-mediated adhesion mechani
sms may be involved in the various functional defects of progenitor cells i
n chronic myelogenic leukaemia, especially regarding their complex interact
ions with the marrow microenvironment.