Gangliosides from human melanoma immunomodulate response of T cells to interleukin-2

The gangliosides expressed by normal melanocytes are predominantly GM3 (greater than 90%) and GD3 (less than 5%). Malignant melanoma can express several other types of gangliosides in significant quantities, including GM2 and GD2. Melanoma patients can develop an immune response against some of these ganglioside antigens on autologous melanoma cells. The four major gangliosides expressed by human melanoma cells (GM3, GD3, GM2, and GD2) were examined for their immunomodulatory effect on lymph node lymphocytes from melanoma patients. Gangliosides were added exogenously to lymphocytes grown in the presence of IL-2. Preferential interactions of specific melanoma gangliosides on IL-2 stimulation were found. While GM2 and GD2 enhanced the lymphocyte response to IL-2, GM3 and GD3 significantly inhibited this response. GM2 and GD2 differ from GM3 and GD3 by the presence of a terminal N-acetylgalactosamine. Since different gangliosides can up-regulate and down-regulate lymphocyte responses to IL-2, the ganglioside phenotype of melanoma cells may play a major role in determining whether an individual tumor causes immune stimulation or suppression.     

Subcellular distribution and biosynthesis of rat liver gangliosides

Gangliosides have generally been assumed to be localized primarily in the plasma membrane. Analysis of gangliosides from isolated subcellular membrane fractions of rat liver indicated that 76% of the total ganglioside sialic acid was present in the plasma membrane. Mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum fractions, while containing only low levels of gangliosides on a protein basis, each contained approx. 10% of total ganglioside sialic acid. Gangliosides also were present in the Golgi apparatus and nuclear membrane fractions, and soluble gangliosides were in the supernatant. Individual gangliosides were non-homogeneously distributed and each membrane fraction was characterized by a unique ganglioside composition. Plasma membrane contained only 14 and 28% of the total GD1a and GD3, respectively, but 80-90% of the GM1, GD1b, GT1b and GQ1b. Endoplasmic reticulum, when corrected for plasma membrane contamination, contained only trace amounts of GM1, GD1b, GT1b and GQ1b, but 11 and 5% of the total GD1a and GD3, respectively. The ganglioside composition of highly purified endoplasmic reticulum was similar. Ganglioside biosynthetic enzymes were concentrated in the Golgi apparatus. However, low levels of these enzymes were present in the highly purified endoplasmic reticulum fractions. Pulse-chase experiments with [3H]galactose revealed that total gangliosides were labeled first in the Golgi apparatus, mitochondria and supernatant within 10 min. Labeled gangliosides were next observed at 30 min in the endoplasmic reticulum, plasma membrane and nuclear membrane fractions. Analysis of the individual gangliosides also revealed that GM3, GM1, GD1a and GD1b were labeled first in the Golgi apparatus at 10 min. These studies indicate that gangliosides synthesized in the Golgi apparatus may be transported not only to the plasma membrane, but to the endoplasmic reticulum and to other internal endomembranes as well.     

Gangliosides from human melanoma tumors impair dendritic cell differentiation from monocytes and induce their apoptosis

Gangliosides are ubiquitous membrane-associated glycosphingolipids, which are involved in cell growth and differentiation. Most tumor cells synthesize and shed large amounts of gangliosides into their microenvironment, and many studies have unraveled their immunosuppressive properties. In the present study we analyzed the effects of GM3 and GD3 gangliosides, purified from human melanoma tumors, on the differentiation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDC). At concentrations close to those detected in the sera from melanoma patients, both gangliosides dose-dependently inhibit the phenotypic and functional differentiation of MoDC, as assessed by a strong down-regulation of CD1a, CD54, CD80, and CD40 Ags and impaired allostimulatory function on day 6 of culture. Furthermore, GM3 and GD3 gangliosides decreased the viable cell yield and induced significant DC apoptosis. Finally, addition of GD3 to differentiating DC impaired their subsequent maturation induced by CD154. The resulting DC produced low amounts of IL-12 and large amounts of IL-10, a cytokine pattern that might hamper an efficient antitumor immune response. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that gangliosides impair the phenotypic and functional differentiation of MoDC and induce their apoptosis, which may be an additional mechanism of human melanoma escape.     

Gangliosides induce cell apoptosis in the cytotoxic line CTLL-2, but not in the promyelocyte leukemia cell line HL-60

Gangliosides induce apoptosis in the cells of the IL-2-dependent cytotoxic mouse line CTLL-2. Upon incubation with gangliosides for 24 h, their effect resulting in appearance of apoptotic cells, falls in a series GM2 > GM3 > GM1 > GD1a > GD1b > GT1b. In the presence of rIL-2, apoptosis induced by GM1 is suppressed, whereas that induced by GM2 is enhanced (the effect of intracellular agent C2-Cer is independent of this cytokine). The GM1-induced apoptosis is cancelled by the caspase I inhibitor. The gangliosides under study are not able to induce apoptosis in the promyelocyte leukemia cell line HL-60. Physiological aspects of the phenomenon found are discussed.     

Stimulatory effect of gangliosides on phagocytosis, phagosome–lysosome fusion, and intracellular signal transduction system by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Gangliosides are known to be differentiation-inducing molecules in mammalian stem cells. We studied the interaction between the molecular structure of glycosphingolipids (GSLs) and their promoting mechanisms of the phagocytic processes in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). The effect of various gangliosides from mammalian tissues on adhesion, phagocytosis, phagosome–lysosome (P–L) fusion and superoxide anion production was examined by human PMN using heat-killed cells of Staphylococcus aureus coated with GSLs. Gangliosides GM3, GD1a, GD3 and GT1b showed a marked stimulatory effect on the phagocytosis and P–L fusion in a dose-dependent manner, while ganglioside GM1, asialo GM1 and neutral GSLs did not. The relative phagocytic rate of ganglioside GM3-coated S. aureus was the highest among the tested GSLs. Both P–L fusion rate and phagocytosis of S. aureus were elevated significantly when coated with ganglioside GD1a, GD3 or GT1b, and GT1b gave a five times higher rate than that of the non-coated control. These results suggest that the terminal sialic acid moiety is essential for the enhancement of phagocytosis and that the number of sialic acid molecules in the ganglioside is related to the enhancement of the P–L fusion process. On the other hand, the superoxide anion release from PMN was not affected by ganglioside GM2, GM3, GD1a or GT1b. Furthermore, to clarify the trigger or the signal transduction mechanism of phagocytic processes, we examined the effect of protein kinase inhibitors such as H-7, staurosporine (protein kinase C inhibitor), H-89 (protein kinase A inhibitor), genistein (tyrosine kinase inhibitor), ML-7 (myosin light chain kinase inhibitor), and KN-62 (Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inhibitor) on ganglioside-induced phagocytosis. H-7, staurosporine and KN-62 inhibited ganglioside-induced phagocytosis in the range of concentration without cell damage, while H-89, genistein and ML-7 did not. Moreover, H-7 and KN-62 inhibited ganglioside-induced P–L fusion. These results suggest that protein kinase C and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II may be involved in the induction of phagocytosis and P–L fusion stimulated by gangliosides. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Immunosuppression by human gangliosides. II. Carbohydrate structure and inhibition of human NK activity.

Gangliosides shed by tumors enhance tumor formation, possibly by suppressing host antitumor immune function, and gangliosides purified from animal tissues and cultured cells inhibit human cellular immune function in vitro. Determination of immunosuppressive activity of highly purified gangliosides, to uncover structure-activity relationships, is therefore important. Here we have studied a series of gangliosides obtained from human tissue and determined their effects on human natural killer (NK) activity. Total gangliosides from human brain tissue were moderately inhibitory; 100 nmol/ml reduced NK activity of human nonadherent PBMC by 43%. The influence of carbohydrate structure upon inhibitory activity was determined by study of eight highly (HPLC) purified individual gangliosides. Of these, we unexpectedly found that the two minor brain gangliosides with the simplest carbohydrate structures, GM2 and GM3, were very active inhibitors (75 and 47%, respectively, at 50 nmol/ml). In contrast, the structurally more complex major species, GM1, GD1a, GD1b, GT1b, and two other minor gangliosides, GD2 and GD3, were inactive. Reduced effector-target binding in a single-cell binding assay by GM2 but not GM3 suggests different mechanisms of inhibition by these two active gangliosides. Since GM2 and GM3 are present in high concentrations in, and are shed by, several common human tumors (e.g., neuroblastoma, melanoma, and glioma), their ability to inhibit NK cytotoxicity supports the hypothesis of a role of shed tumor gangliosides in the enhancement of tumor formation.     

Gangliosides of murine T lymphocyte subpopulations

Gangliosides from murine T lymphoblasts were analyzed by high-performance thin-layer chromatography followed by in situ neuraminidase treatment and immunostaining of the resulting asialogangliosides and compared with those from thymocytes and cloned T lymphocytes with defined functions. The ganglioside IVNeuGc/Ac-GgOse5Cer (GalNAc-GM1b), a marker for T lymphoblasts [Müthing, J., Egge, H., Kniep, B., & Mühlradt, P. F. (1987) Eur. J. Biochem. 163, 407-416], was found only in small amounts as the N-acetylated species in gangliosides from thymocytes and a cytolytic T cell clone. Two helper clones expressed this ganglioside like T blasts. The structures of the two major disialogangliosides from T blasts, IVNeuAc,IIINeuAc-GgOse4Cer (GD1 alpha type) with C24:0/24:1 and C16:0 fatty acids, were elucidated by neuraminidase treatment and immunostaining and by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. Gangliosides of this type were detected in thymocytes only in minor amounts, whereas GM1b-type gangliosides prevailed in cells from this organ. Analysis of the T lymphoblast gangliosides from six genetically unrelated mouse strains showed that terminally sialylated GgOse4Cer (GM1b), IVNeuAc-GgOse5Cer (GalNAc-GM1b), and IVNeuAc,IIINeuAc-GgOse4Cer (GD1 alpha) were conserved structures in all strains examined. We conclude that maturation or stimulation of T cells may be correlated with elongation of a common GM1b-type precursor structure resulting in GalNAc-GM1b or GD1 alpha-type gangliosides.     

Binding specificities of heat-labile enterotoxins isolated from porcine and human enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli for different gangliosides

The binding specificities of heat-labile enterotoxins (LTp and LTh) isolated from porcine and human enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli on human erythrocytes were studied by competitive binding assays using different gangliosides as inhibitors. The binding of 125I-labeled LTp to neuraminidase-treated human type A erythrocytes was most effectively inhibited by ganglioside GM1. Ganglioside GM1 was 11 and 105 times more potent than gangliosides GD1b and GM2, respectively. Gangliosides GD1a, GT1b, and GM3 were much less potent. Similar results were also obtained in competitive binding assays with the 125I-labeled B subunit of LTh and neuraminidase-treated human type B erythrocytes, and in those with 3H-labeled ganglioside GM1 and LTp-coupled Sepharose 4B. The binding of 3H-labeled ganglioside GM1 to LTp was not effectively inhibited by galactose-beta(1----3)N-acetyl-D-galactosamine at the highest concentration used. These findings suggest that the combining sites of LTp and LTh may be specific for at least the galactose-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine-galactose (N-acetyl-neuraminic acid) portion of ganglioside GM1.     

Isolation and characterization of gangliosides from Trypanosoma brucei

Gangliosides were isolated from Trypanosoma brucei and analyzed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and TLC immunostaining test. Four species of gangliosides, designated as G-1, G-2, G-3, and G-4, were separated by TLC. G-1 ganglioside had the same TLC migration rate as GM3. In contrast, G-2, G-3, and G-4 gangliosides migrated a little slower than GM1, GD1a, and GD1b, respectively. To characterize the molecular species of gangliosides from T. brucei, G-1, G-2, G-3, and G-4 gangliosides were purified and analyzed by TLC immunostaining test with monoclonal antibodies against gangliosides. G-1 ganglioside showed the reactivity to the monoclonal antibody against ganglioside GM3. G-2 was recognized by the anti-GM1 monoclonal antibody. G-3 showed reaction with the monoclonal antibody to GD1a. G-4 had the reactivity to anti-GD1b monoclonal antibody. Using 4 kinds of monoclonal antibodies, we also studied the expression of GM3, GM1, GD1a, and GD1b in T. brucei parasites. GM3, GM1, GD1a, and GD1b were detected on the cell surface of T. brucei. These results suggest that G-1, G-2, G-3, and G-4 gangliosides are GM3 (NeuAc alpha2-3Gal beta1-4Glc beta1-1Cer), GM1 (Gal beta1-3GalNAc beta1-4[NeuAc alpha2-3]Gal beta1-4Glc beta1-1Cer), GD1a (NeuAc alpha2-3Gal beta1-3GalNAc beta1-4[NeuAc alpha2-3]Gal beta1-4Glc beta1-1Cer), and GD1b (Gal beta1-3GalNAc beta1-4[NeuAc alpha2-8NeuAc alpha2-3]Gal beta1-4Glc beta1-1Cer), respectively, and also that they are expressed on the cell surface of T. brucei.     

Gangliosides modulate the activity of the plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase from porcine brain synaptosomes

We systematically examined the effects of gangliosides on the plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase (PMCA) from porcine brain synaptosomes. Our results showed that GD1b (two sialic acid residues) stimulated the activity, GM1 (one sialic acid residue) slightly reduced the activity, while asialo-GM1 (no sialic acid residue) markedly inhibited it, suggesting that sialic acid residues of gangliosides are important in the modulation of the PMCA. We also examined the oligosaccharide effects by using GM1, GM2, and GM3 whose only difference was in the length of their oligosaccharide chain. GM1, GM2, and GM3 reduced the enzyme activities, whereas GM2 and GM3 were potent inhibitors. Gangliosides affect both affinity for Ca(2+) and the Vmax of enzyme. It was observed that GD1b and GM2 increased the affinity of the enzyme for Ca(2+). GD1b, GM2 affected the Vmax with an increase of GD1b, but decreases of GM2. The study of the affinity for ATP and the Vmax of enzyme in the presence of gangliosides showed that GD1b and GM2 had little effect on the ATP binding to the enzyme, but the Vmax was apparently changed. Moreover, the effects of gangliosides are additive to that of calmodulin, suggesting that the modulation of PMCA by gangliosides should be through a different mechanism. The conformational changes induced by gangliosides were probed by fluorescence quenching. We found that fluorescent quenchers (I(-) and Cs(+)) with opposite charges had different accessibility to the IAEDANS binding to the PMCA in the presence of gangliosides. An apparent red shift (25nm) with increased maximum of fluorescence spectrum was also observed in the presence of GD1b.     

Differential distribution of gangliosides in adult rat ovary during the oestrous cycle

Gangliosides are ubiquitous membrane components in mammaliancells and are suggested to play important roles in various cellfunctions, such as cell-cell recognition, differentiation andtransmembrane signalling. Rat ovary contained GM3, GD3 and GD1aas major gangliosides, and GM1 as a minor one. In order to studytheir distribution in the rat ovary and its possible changesduring the oestrous cycle, frozen sections were stained withspecific monoclonal antibodies against 11 ganglio-series gangliosidesincluding those mentioned above. GM3, GM1 and GD1a were expressedin a spatiotemporally different manner during the oestrous cycle,but GD3 and other gangliosides were not immunohistochemicallydetected. In primary and secondary follicles, GM3, GM1 and GDlawere expressed in theca cells, but not in granulosa cells. Theoocyte in primary, but not secondary, follicles was positiveto the anti-GD1a antibody. In Graafian follicles, GM1 and GD1awere similarly expressed as in secondary follicles, however,the expression of GM3 spread gradually from theca cells to granulosacells. In early Graafian follicles, only GM3 was expressed toa detectable extent from the outer part of the granulosa layerto the inner part Shortly before ovulation, all granulosa cellsand cumulus cells became positive to anti-GM3 antibody. Afterovulation, differential distribution of GM3, GM1 and GD1a wasalso observed in luteal cells. GD1a was localized in thread-likestructures, while GM3 was distributed throughout the cytoplasm,but not in the nucleus. GM1 was localized only in the plasmamembrane and/or its close vicinity. Other ganglio-series gangliosides,including GD3, were not detected to an appreciable extent inthe ovaries by immunohistochemistry ganglioside oestrous cycle rat ovary     

Studies of the mechanism by which gangliosides inhibit the proliferative response of murine splenocytes to concanavalin A

Gangliosides are known to inhibit the proliferative response of murine and human lymphocytes to antigens and mitogens in vitro. In this study the response of murine spleen cells to concanavalin A (Con A) was used as a model system. Analysis of the cellular events by flow cytometry revealed that during the first 24 hr of culture the effect of gangliosides on Con A-treated cells was minimal. At 48 hr, however, more of the ganglioside-treated cells were in G0/G1, the cells contained more RNA, and fewer cells were in S phase. These data indicate that gangliosides inhibit the transition of the cells from G0/G1 into the S phase of the cell cycle. Expression of the interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor, as measured by the binding of a monoclonal antibody to the receptor, was not inhibited by the gangliosides. Binding of 125I-labeled recombinant IL-2 to cells cultured for 48 hr with Con A was inhibited by ganglioside GD1a but not by asialo GM1. Inhibition was much more effective if the gangliosides were preincubated with IL-2 before addition of cells, but no inhibition was observed if the cells were preincubated with gangliosides and the unbound gangliosides were washed out prior to addition of the IL-2. These data suggest that interference with the binding of IL-2 to the high-affinity IL-2 receptor of activated T lymphocytes plays an important role in the inhibition of Con A-induced proliferation.     

Detection of gangliosides of the GM1b type on high-performance thin-layer chromatography plates by immunostaining after neuraminidase treatment

A method for the detection of GM1b-type gangliosides in complex mixtures of gangliosides was developed. The procedure involves separation of gangliosides on high-performance thin-layer chromatography plates, fixation of the silica gel, treatment with neuraminidase from Vibrio cholerae in the absence of detergent, and incubation of the plates with GgOse4Cer-specific antibodies. Alkaline phosphatase-conjugated second antibodies are used to visualize bound first antibodies by generating a blue dye from 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolylphosphate. The procedure is capable of detecting as little as 30 ng of gangliosides. Gangliosides from murine T lymphocytes and from human brain served as examples. Besides GM1b, GD1 alpha is also detectable by this method, whereas the human brain gangliosides GM1a, GD1a, GD1b, and GT1b are not, because they are neuraminidase resistant. Since terminally sialylated gangliosides such as GM1b were described as virus receptors, and certain other terminally sialylated gangliosides are discussed as tumor markers, this method should be useful to screen gangliosides from different tissues or cell lines for the presence of such components, especially if only small amounts of material are available.     

Enhanced expression of a-series gangliosides in fibroblasts of patients with peroxisome biogenesis disorders

Peroxisome biogenesis disorders (PBD) are classified into Zellweger syndrome (ZS), infantile Refsum disease (IRD) and neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy. Disturbances in the differentiation of neural cells such as migration arrest are characteristic of PBD. So far the pathogenesis of these disturbances is not clearly understood. We describe an altered metabolism of glycosphingolipids in PBD which has not yet been investigated. We observed an increased amount of a-series gangliosides, GM2, GM1 and GD1a, in the fibroblasts of patients with ZS and IRD. Gangliosides GM1 and GD1a were not present in detectable amounts in normal subjects. A key step in the synthesis of a-series gangliosides is a transfer of GalNAc to ganglioside GM3, so we determined the level of ganglioside GM3 by immunohistochemical methods. We found a granular structure, which was positive toward anti-ganglioside GM3 antibody in the cytoplasm of the patients' fibroblasts. In control cells, the cell membrane was slightly positive toward anti-GM3 antibody. These results may help to clarify the pathogenesis of PBD with respect to the functional roles of glycosphingolipids in cell differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis.     

Inhibition of human neuroblastoma cell proliferation and EGF receptor phosphorylation by gangliosides GM1, GM3, GD1A and GT1B

The inhibitory action of gangliosides GT1B, GD1A, GM3 and GM1 on cell proliferation and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) phosphorylation was determined in the N-myc amplified human neuroblastoma cell line NBL-W. The IC50 of each ganglioside was estimated from concentration-response regressions generated by incubating NBL-W cells with incremental concentrations (5-1000 microm) of GT1B, GD1A, GM3 or GM1 for 4 days. Cell proliferation was quantitatively determined by a colourimetric assay using tetrazolium dye and spectrophotometric analysis, and EGFR phosphorylation by densitometry of Western blots. All gangliosides assayed, with the exception of GM1, inhibited NBL-W cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC50s for gangliosides GT1B [molecular weight (MW) 2129], GM3 (MW 1236), and GD1A (MW 1838) were (mean +/- SEM) 117 +/- 26, 255 +/- 29, and 425 +/- 44 m, respectively. In contrast, the IC50 for GM1 (MW 1547) could not be determined. Incubation of NBL-W cells with epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1000 ng/ml progressively increased cell proliferation rate, but it plateaued at concentrations above 10 ng/ml. EGFR tyrosine phosphorylation, however, was incrementally stimulated by EGF concentrations from 1 to 100 ng/ml. The suppression of EGF-induced EGFR phosphorylation differed for each ganglioside, and their respective inhibitory potencies were as follows: EGFR phosphorylation [area under curve (+ EGF)/area under curve (- EGF)]: control (no ganglioside added) = 8.2; GM1 = 8.3; GD1A = 6.7; GM3 = 4.87, and GT1B = 4.09. The lower the ratio, the greater the inhibitory activity of the ganglioside. Gangliosides GD1A and GT1B, which have terminal N-acetyl neuraminic acid moieties, as well as one and two N-acetyl neuraminic acid residues linked to the internal galactose, respectively, both inhibited cell proliferation and EGFR phosphorylation. However, GD1A was a more potent suppressor of cell proliferation and GT1B most effective against EGFR phosphorylation. GM3, which only has a terminal N-acetyl neuraminic acid, inhibited cell proliferation and EGFR phosphorylation almost equivalently. These data suggest that gangliosides differ in their potency as inhibitors of NBL-W neuroblastoma cell proliferation and EGFR tyrosine phosphorylation, and that perturbations in the differential expression of membrane glycosphingolipids may play a role in modulating neuroblastoma growth.     

Comparative study of lymph node gangliosides and blood serum of normal and T-lymphotrophic baboons

The gangliosides from the lymph nodes and blood sera of normal and T-lymphomic baboons were studied. In lymph nodes the major gangliosides were identified as GM3 and GD3, those in blood sera--as GM3, GM1 and GD3. Gangliosides GM3 and GD3 contained N-acetyl as well as N-glycoloyl neuraminic acids. In gangliosides isolated from lymph nodes and blood sera of T-lymphomic baboons the levels of N-glycoloyl neuraminic acid markedly exceeded that in normal tissues. In tumour lymph nodes the GM3/GD3 ratio was shifted towards GD3.     

Gangliosides in rat kidney: composition, distribution, and developmental changes

Gangliosides in rat kidney were analyzed for their composition, regional distribution, and developmental changes. Renal tissue from 7-week-old rats showed a GM3-dominant pattern with GD3 and several minor ganglioside components including GM4, GM2, GD1a, and an unknown ganglioside (ganglioside X). The tissue also contained c-series gangliosides that included GT3 as the main component with GT2 in a lesser amount. Ganglioside analysis of cortical and medullary regions of renal tissue suggested the restricted localization of some gangliosides. While GM4 and GD3 were enriched in the cortical region, GM2 was distributed mainly in the medullary area. Renal gangliosides showed unique developmental profiles during a period from Embryonic Day 20 (E20) to 7 weeks postnatal. The content of renal gangliosides increased from E20, reached the highest around Postnatal Day 1, and thereafter, decreased rapidly to the adult level. The ratio of N-glycolylneuraminic acid to total sialic acids in gangliosides tended to change in inverse proportion to the amount of total sialic acids. The composition of major gangliosides in renal tissues shifted from GD3-dominant to GM3-dominant patterns with advancing ages. While GM1 was expressed only at early stages of the development, GM4, GM2, and ganglioside X appeared after Postnatal Day 3. The expression of c-series gangliosides was less affected through the period examined. These results suggest that gangliosides may be implicated with development and function of rat kidney.     

Glycolipids of mouse erythroleukemia cells (Friend cells) and their alteration during differentiation

Neutral and acidic glycosphingolipids of Friend cells were characterized in 1) undifferentiated Friend cells (745A), 2) differentiated Friend cells induced with dimethyl-sulfoxide, and 3) solid tumors grown in mice after subcutaneous implantation of Friend cells. The structures of the isolated glycosphingolipids were determined by means of compositional analysis, methylation analysis and enzyme treatment. Gangliosides GD1a and N-acetylgalactosaminyl-GD1a, followed by GM1a and GM2, were the main gangliosides in undifferentiated Friend cells. GD1a and N-acetylgalactosaminyl-GD1a accounted for 45 and 25% of the total gangliosides, respectively. On differentiation, ganglioside GM2 decreased significantly, from 10% to a trace amount. In solid tumors, GD1a was the major ganglioside, whereas in contrast to the situation in the cultured cells, N-acetylgalactosaminyl-GD1a was almost completely absent, and ganglioside GM1b, but not GM1a, was detected. In addition, ganglioside GD1 alpha was detected in the solid tumors. Galactosylceramide, glucosylceramide, and lactosylceramide were the main neutral components in both types of cells, while globotetraosylceramide (globoside), IV3-N-acetyl-galactosaminyl globotetraosylceramide (Forssman glycolipid) and gangliotetraosylceramide (GA1) were major in solid tumors grown in vivo.