Glycosphingolipids of porcine blood: human blood group A and H antigens with type 1 chain in erythrocytes and plasma

Glycosphingolipids were purified from porcine erythrocytes and plasma. Two minor glycolipids with human blood group A and H antigenicities were found in both sources as components. The two antigenic glycolipids were identified as a hexaglycosylceramide (IV3 alpha GalNAc,IV2 alpha Fuc-Lc4Cer) for the A antigen and pentaglycosylceramide (IV2 alpha Fuc-Lc4Cer) for the H antigen and belonged to lactoseries (type 1 sugar chain) in contrast to those with neolacto core (type 2 sugar chain) in human erythrocytes, thereby endorsing biochemically the previous serological observations that the A antigen on porcine erythrocytes is uptake from plasma, probably the H antigen being the case. In addition to major glycolipids of globoseries in red cells and plasma, a variety of acidic glycolipids including two classes of sulphatides (sulphated galactosylceramide and sulphated lactosylceramide) and five classes of gangliosides (GM3, GD3, GM1, fucosyl GM1 and GD1a) containing N-acetylneuraminic acid and N-glycolylneuraminic acid were obtained from plasma.     

Human blood group A and H glycolipids in porcine plasma. Evidence for acquisition of the erythrocyte antigens from plasma

Human blood group A- and H-antigenic glycosphingolipids were isolated from pooled porcine plasma. The structures of the A-active hexa- and H-active pentaglycosylceramides of lactoseries (type 1 sugar chain) were the same as those in porcine erythrocytes. These results endorse biochemically the previous observations that the A and H antigens on porcine erythrocytes are taken up from plasma.     

A new monoclonal antibody directed to sialyl alpha 2-3lactoneotetraosylceramide and its application for detection of human gastrointestinal neoplasms

A new monoclonal antibody (NS24) directed to the N-acetylneuraminyl alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc residue in type II sugar chain of N-acetylneuraminyllactoneotetraosylceramide [sialylparagloboside, IV3(NeuAc)nLc4Cer] was prepared by hybridoma technique. Liposomes composed of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, IV3(NeuAc)nLc4Cer, and lipopolysaccharides from Salmonella minnesota R595 were used for immunization with IV3(NeuAc)nLc4Cer isolated from human erythrocytes. This method allowed the fusion of spleen cells of immunized mouse with myeloma cells only three days after immunization. NS24 reacted specifically to both naturally occurring and chemically synthesized IV3-(NeuAc)nLc4Cer, whereas it has no reactivity to structurally related gangliosides, such as IV6(NeuAc)nLc4Cer, N-glycolylneuraminyl alpha 2-3lactoneotetraosylceramide [IV3(NeuGc)-nLc4Cer], i-active ganglioside [VI3(NeuAc)nLc6Cer], I-active ganglioside [VIII3(NeuAc)-VI3(NeuAc)IV6kladoLc8Cer], GM4(NeuAc), GM3(NeuAc), GM3(NeuGc), GM1b(NeuAc), GD3-(NeuAc), other ganglio-series gangliosides, sulfatide, and paragloboside (nLc4Cer). Synthetic N-acetylneuraminyl alpha 2-3lactotetraosylceramide [IV3(NeuAc)Lc4Cer] and its asialo-derivative (Lc4Cer) carrying type I sugar chain also showed no reaction with NS24. One to 100 pmol of IV3(NeuAc)nLc4Cer was detected dose-dependently by a thin-layer chromatography/enzyme immunostaining procedure. Human gastric carcinomas showed positive reactions with NS24 immunochemically and histochemically. NS24 reacted preferentially with poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas rather than well differentiated ones.     

Selective terminal alpha 2-3 and alpha 2-6 sialylation of glycosphingolipids with lacto-series type 1 and 2 chains in human meconium

Human meconium was found to contain two kinds of gangliosides with the same carbohydrate sequence belonging to the lacto-series. They were detected by TLC-immunostaining with monoclonal antibodies directed to the NeuAc alpha 2-6Gal and Lc4Cer structures. One of these two gangliosides, a major one, which migrated on TLC to a position below that of standard IV3NeuAcnLc4Cer from human erythrocytes, reacted with the antibody to NeuAc alpha 2-6Gal. The other minor one, which migrated on TLC to a position corresponding to standard IV3NeuAcnLc4Cer, was detected with the antibody to Lc4Cer only when the plate, on which the individual gangliosides were separated, was subjected to prior treatment with Vibrio cholerae sialidase. The structures of the gangliosides, each identified by means of permethylation anaylsis with Vibrio cholerae sialidase. The structures of the gangliosides, each identified by means of permethylation anaylsis and enzyme treatment after isolation with antibody monitoring, were shown to be IV6NeuAcnLc4Cer for the former and IV3NeuAcLc4Cer for the latter, indicating that the lacto-series type 2 (nLc4Cer) and 1 (Lc4Cer) chains are sialylated at different linkages, alpha 2-6 and alpha 2-3, respectively. IV6NeuAcLc4Cer and IV3NeuAcnLc4Cer were not detected, even in trace amounts, on TLC-immunostaining with the monoclonal antibodies. The concentrations of IV6NeuAcnLc4Cer and IV3NeuAcLc4Cer were 448 and 18 nmol/g dry wt of human meconium.     

Y and blood group B type 2 glycolipid antigens accumulate in a human gastric carcinoma cell line as detected by monoclonal antibody. Isolation and characterization by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy

A monoclonal antibody (mAb), BR55-2, was generated from mice immunized with MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cells. This mAb specifically detected glycolipids with the Y determinant Fuc alpha 1----2Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc(3----1 alpha Fuc)-beta 1----3Gal beta 1----4Glc beta 1----1 Cer and the Y-related B-active difucosylated determinant Gal alpha 1----3Gal(2----1 alpha Fuc) beta 1----4GlcNAc(3----1 alpha Fuc) beta 1----3Gal beta 1----4Glc beta 1----1 Cer, but was not reactive with related monofucosylated glycolipids of type 2 chain (X-antigen, blood group H), type 1 chain (Lea antigen, blood group H and B) or with difucosylated type 2 and type 1 chain structures (A blood group antigen or blood group B and Leb, respectively). A series of glycolipids with Y and blood group B type 2 determinants were detected in human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line KATO III with mAb BR55-2 and with a previously characterized anti-blood group B mAb PA83-52 (Hansson, G. C., Karlsson, K.-A., Larson, G., McKibbin, J. M., Blaszczyk, M., Herlyn, M., Steplewski, Z., and Koprowski, H. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 4091-4097). The isolated antigens were structurally characterized by mass spectrometry of permethylated and permethylated-reduced derivatives and by proton NMR spectroscopy. In a chromatogram binding assay, mAb BR55-2 and mAb PA83-52 detected minor components with slower mobility than the Y-6 and blood group B-7-type 2 structures. The detection of a B type 2 determinant is the first chemical evidence for the presence of an autologous difucosyl blood group B type 2 antigen in human adenocarcinoma cells.     

Acidic glycosphingolipids of human amnion

Six major acidic glycosphingolipids were isolated from human amnion using DEAE Sephadex A-25 and silica beads column chromatography. The structures of these glycosphingolipids were determined by methylation analysis, TLC immunostaining and/or negative ion FAB-MS, and were concluded to be II3 alpha NeuAcLacCer(GM3), IV3 alpha NeuAcnLc4-Cer (sialyl[alpha 2-3]paragloboside), IV6 alpha NeuAcnLc4Cer (sialyl[alpha 2-6]paragloboside), IV3 alpha NeuAcIII4 alpha FucLc4Cer (sialyl Lea), VI3 alpha NeuAcnLc6Cer (i-ganglioside) and II3 alpha (NeuAc alpha 2----8NeuAc)LacCer (GD3). In addition, several minor glycosphingolipids were detected with specific monoclonal antibodies, including glycolipids with NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc-beta 1- or NeuAc alpha 2-6Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc beta 1- determinant. Our results show that the glycosphingolipids of human amnion are characterized by having mainly type II chain analogues and onco-fetal antigens.     

Novel blood group H glycolipid antigens exclusively expressed in blood group A and AB erythrocytes (type 3 chain H). I. Isolation and chemical characterization

A series of blood group H antigens reacting with monoclonal antibody MBrl has been found in human blood group A and AB erythrocytes, but not in O or B erythrocytes. These H antigens are clearly different from the globo-H structure (Fuc alpha 1----2Gal beta 1----3GalNAc beta 1----3Gal alpha 1----4Gal beta 1----4Glc beta 1----1Cer), which was previously isolated from O erythrocytes and is also reactive with the MBrl antibody. The new series of H antigens associated with blood group A has been characterized as having TLC mobilities which approximately coincide with those of H2, H3, and H4 glycolipids. One of these A-associated H antigens, having a similar TLC mobility as the H2 glycolipid, was isolated from A erythrocytes and was characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy, methylation analysis, and enzymatic degradation as having the structure shown below: (formula, see text). The structure represents a precursor of the repetitive A epitope attached to type 2 chain, previously called type 3 chain A (Clausen, H., Levery, S. B., Nudelman, E., Tsuchiya, S., and Hakomori, S. (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 82, 1199-1203). This A-associated H structure is hereby called type 3 chain H.     

Structural characterization of non-acid glycosphingolipids in kidneys of single blood group O and A pigs

Total non-acid glycosphingolipids were isolated from the kidneys of single pigs serologically typed on their red blood cells as blood groups O and A. Glycolipid species were purified by HPLC and structurally characterized by thin-layer chromatography, mass spectrometry, proton NMR spectroscopy, degradation analysis, and reactivity with various monoclonal antibodies, Gal alpha 1-4Gal-specific E. coli bacteria, and lectins. Glucosyl-, globotriaosyl-, and globotetraosylceramides were the predominant molecular species with lactosyl- and globopentaosylceramides (IV3GalGb4Cer) as abundant constituents too. Small amounts of galactosyl- and digalactosylceramides were also present. In the blood group O pig kidneys, blood group H antigens based on four different core saccharides (types 1, 2, 4, and lactosyl core) were identified and the major blood group structure was V2FucIV3Gal-Gb4Cer. In the kidneys from the blood group A pig the corresponding blood group A antigens were found and in addition, a type 3 chain blood group A antigen was indicated by mass spectrometry and by its reactivity with a monoclonal antibody. Trace amounts of the type 2 chain-based X and Y antigens were found while blood group B antigens and the type 1 chain based Lewis antigens could not be detected. The ceramide part of the glycolipids was mainly composed of dihydroxy 18:0 long chain bases and non-hydroxy 16:0-24:0 fatty cids.     

Defects in degradation of blood group A and B glycosphingolipids in Schindler and Fabry diseases

Skin fibroblast cultures from patients with inherited lysosomal enzymopathies, alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (alpha-NAGA) and alpha-galactosidase A deficiencies (Schindler and Fabry disease, respectively), and from normal controls were used to study in situ degradation of blood group A and B glycosphingolipids. Glycosphingolipids A-6-2 (GalNAc (alpha 1-->3)[Fuc alpha 1-->2]Gal(beta1-->4)GlcNAc(beta 1-->3)Gal(beta 1--> 4)Glc (beta 1-->1')Cer, IV(2)-alpha-fucosyl-IV(3)-alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminylneolactotetraosylceramide), B-6-2 (Gal(alpha 1-->3)[Fuc alpha 1--> 2] Gal (beta 1-->4)GlcNAc(beta 1-->3)Gal(beta 1-->4)Glc(beta 1-->1')Cer, IV(2)- alpha-fucosyl-IV(3)-alpha-galactosylneolactotetraosylceramide), and globoside (GalNAc(beta 1-->3)Gal(alpha 1-->4)Gal(beta 1-->4)Glc(beta 1-->1') Cer, globotetraosylceramide) were tritium labeled in their ceramide moiety and used as natural substrates. The degradation rate of glycolipid A-6-2 was very low in fibroblasts of all the alpha-NAGA-deficient patients (less than 7% of controls), despite very heterogeneous clinical pictures, ruling out different residual enzyme activities as an explanation for the clinical heterogeneity. Strongly elevated urinary excretion of blood group A glycolipids was detected in one patient with blood group A, secretor status (five times higher than upper limit of controls), in support of the notion that blood group A-active glycolipids may contribute as storage compounds in blood group A patients. When glycolipid B-6-2 was fed to alpha-galactosidase A-deficient cells, the degradation rate was surprisingly high (50% of controls), while that of globotriaosylceramide was reduced to less than 15% of control average, presumably reflecting differences in the lysosomal enzymology of polar glycolipids versus less-polar ones. Relatively high-degree degradation of substrates with alpha-D-Galactosyl moieties hints at a possible contribution of other enzymes.     

Monoclonal antibody-defined antigen of human uterine endometrial carcinomas is Leb

A monoclonal antibody, MSN-1, generated by immunizing a mouse with a human uterine endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line, SNG-II, was strongly and specifically reactive with neutral glycosphingolipids from cancer tissues of patients with uterine endometrial adenocarcinomas. The glycosphingolipid antigen was purified from pooled human meconia, which contained the antigen at the concentration of 1.95 mumol/g dry weight. Its structure was determined by NMR, negative ion FABMS, permethylation analysis, and TLC-immunostaining with monoclonal anti-Lc4Cer antibody, and was concluded to be the III4IV2Fuc2Lc4Cer,Leb antigen of the human Lewis blood system. On ELISA, the monoclonal antibody was found to be strongly reactive with Leb, slightly with Lea and not at all with A, B, H, or IV2FucGg4Cer. The amount of Leb in cancerous regions in the patients with the Lea-b+ blood group was significantly increased compared to that in normal regions in the same patients, and it was a newly appearing antigen in the cancerous tissue of a patient with the Lea+b- blood group.     

Asialogangliosides as differentiation markers of rat erythropoietic and granulopoietic cells in rat bone marrow. Flow cytometric analysis of rat bone marrow cells using anti-asialoganglioside antibodies

Flow cytometric analysis using anti-glycolipid antiserum was used on rat bone marrow cells to determine the relation between the glycolipid species expressed on cell surfaces and cell differentiation. Four kinds of antibodies against gangliotriaosylceramide (Gg3Cer), gangliotetraosylceramide (Gg4Cer), fucogangliotetraosylceramide (IV2 alpha Fuc-Gg4Cer) and IV3 alpha Gal-fucogangliotetraosylceramide (IV3 alpha GalIV2 alpha Fuc-Gg4Cer, blood group B lipid) were used. The cells sorted out by each anti-glycolipid antiserum were stained with May-Grünwald-Giemsa reagent and identified by microscopy. In the erythropoietic group, only polychromatic erythroblasts had these four glycolipids on their cell surfaces; none appeared on differentiated erythrocytes. These glycolipids were expressed during the early stages of immature granulocytes, especially in the promyelocyte and myelocyte stages of eosinophilic and neutrophilic granulocytes. Very limited populations of lymphocytes were sorted out as asialoganglioside-expressing cells. We concluded that asialogangliosides are useful differentiation markers for the erythropoietic and granulopoietic cells of rat bone marrow, and that anti-asialoganglioside antibody-flow cytometry is a very useful technique with which to isolate immature granulocytes and erythropoietic cells from rat bone marrow cells.     

Blood group A glycolipid antigen expression in kidney, ureter, kidney artery, and kidney vein from a blood group A1Le(a-b+) human individual. Evidence for a novel blood group A heptaglycosylceramide based on a type 3 carbohydrate chain

Kidney, ureter, kidney artery, and kidney vein tissue were obtained from a single human transplant specimen. The donors erythrocyte blood group phenotype was A1Le(a-b+). Total non-acid glycolipid fractions were isolated and individual glycolipid components were identified by immunostaining thin layer plates with a panel of monoclonal antibodies and by mass spectrometry of the permethylated and permethylated-reduced total glycolipid fractions. The dominating glycolipids in all tissues were mono- to tetraglycosylceramides. In the kidney, ureter, and artery tissue less than 1% of the glycolipids were of blood group type, having more than 4 sugar residues. In contrast, 14% of the vein glycolipids were of blood group type, and the dominating components were type 1 chain blood group H pentaglycosylceramides and A hexaglycosylceramides. Trace amounts of structurally different blood group A glycolipids (type 1 to 4 core saccharide chains) with up to 10 sugar residues were found in the kidney, ureter, and vein tissues, including evidence for a novel blood group A heptaglycosylceramide based on the type 3 chain in the vein. The only detected A glycolipid antigen in the artery tissue was the blood group A difucosyl type 1 chain heptaglycosylceramide (ALeb) structure. Blood group Lewis and related antigens (Lea, Leb, and ALeb) were expressed in the kidney, ureter, and artery, but were completely lacking in the vein, indicating that the Le gene-coded alpha 1-4-fucosyltransferase was not expressed in this tissue. The X and Y antigens (type 2 chain isomers of the Lea and Leb antigens) were detected only in the kidney tissue.     

Biosynthesis of fucose containing lacto-series glycolipids in human colonic adenocarcinoma Colo 205 cells

Biosynthesis of fucose containing lacto-series glycolipids has been studied in human colonic adenocarcinoma Colo 205 cells. Transfer of fucose in both alpha 1----3 linkage to type 2 chain acceptors and alpha 1----4 linkage to type 1 chain acceptors was demonstrated with a Triton X-100 solubilized membrane fraction. The enzyme was found to be highly active over a broad pH range between 6.0 and 7.5. Kinetics of the transfer reactions were studied and indicated that the enzyme had an apparent Km for GDPfucose of 53 and 49 microM with acceptors nLc4 and Lc4, respectively. The apparent Km values for acceptors Lc4, nLc4, and IV3NeuAcnLc4 were determined to be 42, 18, and 26 microM, respectively. Transfer of fucose to the type 1 chain acceptor Lc4 alone and in the presence of increasing concentrations of the type 2 chain acceptor IV3NeuAcnLc4 or Gb3 suggested that both type 1 and 2 acceptors were alternate acceptors for a single enzyme. This was further established by the finding that IV3NeuAcnLc4 behaved as a competitive inhibitor of fucose transfer with respect to Lc4. Conditions were defined for preparative scale in vitro synthesis of fucosylated products of nLc6 catalyzed by the Colo 205 cell enzyme. Yields of the monofucosyl derivative of 2.5 mg (46%) and 1 mg (17%) of the difucosyl derivative were obtained from 5 mg of original nLc6. The structures of these biosynthetic products were carefully studied by 1H NMR, +FAB-MS, and methylation analysis. These studies revealed extremely high purity products composed of III3FucnLc6 and III3V3Fuc2nLc6. The significance of the nature of these products and enzymatic properties is discussed.     

The monoclonal antibody directed to difucosylated type 2 chain (Fuc alpha 1 leads to 2Gal beta 1 leads to 4[Fuc alpha 1 leads to 3]GlcNAc; Y Determinant)

One of the monoclonal (AH-6) antibodies prepared by hybridoma technique against human gastric cancer cell line MKN74 was found to react with a series of glycolipids having the Y determinant (Fuc alpha 1 leads to 2Gal beta 1 leads to 4[Fuc alpha 1 leads to 3]GlcNAc). The structure of one such glycolipid isolated from human colonic cancer and from dog intestine was identified as lactodifucohexaosyl-ceramide (Fuc alpha 1 leads to 2Gal beta 1 leads to 4[Fuc alpha 1 leads to 3]GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 3Gal beta 1 leads to 4Glc beta 1 leads to 1-ceramide; IV3,III3Fuc2nLc4Cer). The hapten glycolipid did not react with monoclonal antibodies directed to Lea, Leb, and X-hapten structures, and the AH-6 antibody did not react with the X-hapten ceramide pentasaccharide (Gal beta 1 leads to 4[Fuc alpha 1 leads to 3]GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 3Gal beta 1 leads to 4Glc beta 1 leads to 1-ceramide), H1 glycolipid (Fuc alpha 1 leads to 2Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 3Gal beta 1 leads to 4Glc beta 1 leads to 1-ceramide), nor with glycolipids having the Leb (Fuc alpha 1 leads to 2Gal beta 1 leads to 3[Fuc alpha 1 leads 4]GlcNAc beta 1 leads to R) determinant. The antibody reacted with blood group O erythrocytes, but not with A erythrocytes. Immunostaining of thin layer chromatography with the monoclonal antibody AH-6 indicated that a series of glycolipids with the Y determinant is present in tumors and in O erythrocytes.     

Blood group type glycosphingolipids of human kidneys. Structural characterization of extended globo-series compounds

Blood group type glycosphingolipids present in kidneys of blood group A and B human individuals have been isolated and structurally characterized by mass spectrometry, proton NMR spectroscopy, degradation studies and by their reactivity with various monoclonal antibodies andEscherichia coli bacteria. The two major complex glycolipids present in the blood group A and B kidneys were globopentaosylceramide (IV³Gal-Gb₄Cer) and the X pentaglycosylceramide (III³Fuc-nLc₄Cer). The major blood group A glycolipid in the blood group A kidneys was based on the type 4 chain (globo-series). There were also small amounts of the type 2 chain and trace amounts of the type 1 and type 3 chain based A glycolipids. In addition, the blood group H type 4 chain structure was present together with Le^a and Le^b compounds. In the blood group B kidneys, the major B glycolipids were monofucosylated hexa- and octaglycosylceramides, where the former were based on the type 2 carbohydrate chain. The blood group B type 4 chain heptaglycosylceramide was found to be a minor component making up only about 1% of the total blood group B structures. Abbreviations: for blood group glycolipid antigens the short hand designation stands for blood group—number of sugar residues—type of carbohydrate chain. Thus A-7-4 means a type 4 chain blood group A heptaglycosylceramide. The sugar types are abbreviated for mass spectrometry to Hex for hexose, HexNAc forN-acetylhexosamine and dHex for deoxyhexose.     

Isolation of a porcine UDP-GalNAc transferase cDNA mapping to the region of the blood group EAA locus on pig chromosome 1

In our studies of the genes constituting the porcine A0 blood group system, we have characterized a cDNA, encoding an alpha(1,3)N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase, that putatively represents the blood group A transferase gene. The cDNA has a 1095-bp open reading frame and shares 76.9% nucleotide and 66.7% amino acid identity with the human ABO gene. Using a somatic cell hybrid panel, the cDNA was assigned to the q arm of pig chromosome 1, in the region of the erythrocyte antigen A locus (EAA), which represents the porcine blood group A transferase gene. The RNA corresponding to our cDNA was expressed in the small intestinal mucosae of pigs possessing EAA activity, whereas expression was absent in animals lacking this blood group antigen. The UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine (UDP-GalNAc) transferase activity of the gene product, expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, was specific for the acceptor fucosyl-alpha(1,2)galactopyranoside; the enzyme did not use phenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (phenyl-beta-D-Gal) as an acceptor. Because the alpha(1,3)GalNAc transferase gene product requires an alpha(1,2)fucosylated acceptor for UDP-GalNAc transferase activity, the alpha(1,2)fucosyltransferase gene product is necessary for the functioning of the alpha(1,3)GalNAc transferase gene product. This mechanism underlies the epistatic effect of the porcine S locus on expression of the blood group A antigen. ABBREVIATIONS: CDS: coding sequence; CHO: Chinese Hamster Ovary; EAA: erythrocyte antigen A; FCS: foetal calf serum; Fucalpha(1,2)Gal: fucosyl-alpha(1,2)galactopyranoside; Gal: galactopyranoside; GGTA1: Galalpha(1,3)Gal transferase; PCR: polymerase chain reaction; phenyl-beta-D-Gal: phenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside; R: Galbeta1-4Glcbeta1-1Cer; UDP-GalNAc: uridine diphosphate N-acetylgalactosamine     

Contribution of glycolipids to species-specific antigens on erythrocytes of several animal species as to recognition of antigens with rabbit anti-glycolipids and anti-erythrocyte antisera

Because anti-glycolipid antibodies are involved in the onset of several neurological diseases, the reactivity of glycolipids on erythrocytes and the probability of generating the antibodies were determined to clarify the contribution of glycolipids as antigens. Anti-erythrocyte antisera reacted with the following glycolipids in a species-specific manner, i.e. blood group A-active glycolipid for man, Forssman glycolipid for sheep, Gg₃Cer for guinea pig, and Gg₄Cer and fucosyl GM1 for rat, and the hemolytic activities of the anti-erythrocyte antisera were attenuated by absorption of the antisera with liposomes prepared from the lipids of erythrocytes to the following levels, 94.5% for man, 24.5% for sheep, 17.5% for guinea pig, and 54.5% for rat. These species-specific glycolipids on erythrocytes reacted well with the respective anti-glycolipid antisera, but Gb₄Cer in man and GM1 in rat were shown to be cryptic on immunization with erythrocytes, indicating that the contribution of glycolipids as erythrocyte antigens differs among animal species. The glycolipid nomenclature is based on the recommendations of the IUPAC-IUB Commission on Biochemical Nomenclature [1]. The ganglioside nomenclature of Svennerholm is employed throughout [2].     

Generation of murine monoclonal antibodies specific for N-glycolylneuraminic acid-containing gangliosides.

We generated two murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for mono- and disialylgangliosides having N-glycolylneuraminic acid (NeuGc) as their sialic acid moiety, respectively, by immunizing C3H/HeN mice with these purified gangliosides adsorbed to Salmonella minnesota followed by fusion with mouse myeloma cells. By use of a wide variety of glycolipids, including NeuGc-containing gangliosides, the precise structures recognized by these two antibodies were elucidated through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunostaining on thin-layer chromatography. One MAb, GMR8, which was generated by immunizing the mice with purified GM3(NeuGc), reacted specifically with gangliosides having NeuGc alpha 2----3Gal- terminal structures, such as GM3(NeuGc), IV3NeuGc alpha-Gg4Cer, IV3NeuGc alpha-nLc4Cer, V3NeuGc alpha-Gb5Cer, and GD1a(NeuGc, NeuGc). None of the other gangliosides having internal NeuGc alpha2----3Gal- sequences, such as GM2(NeuGc) and GM1(NeuGc), nor corresponding gangliosides having NeuAc alpha 2----3Gal- sequences, nor neutral glycolipids were recognized. Thus, the epitope structures recognized by the MAb were found to be strictly NeuGc alpha 2----3Gal- terminal structures. In contrast, the other MAb, GMR3, which was generated by immunizing the mice with purified GD3(NeuGc-NeuGc-) adsorbed to the bacteria, reacted specifically with gangliosides having NeuGc alpha 2----8NeuGc alpha 2----3Gal- terminal sequences, such as GD3(NeuGc-NeuGc-), IV3NeuGc alpha 2-Gg4Cer, IV3NeuGc alpha 2-nLc4Cer, and V3NeuGc alpha 2-Gb5Cer, but did not react with corresponding gangliosides having NeuAc as their sialic acid moiety or with the neutral glycolipids tested. The epitope structures recognized by the MAb were suggested to be NeuGc alpha 2----8NeuGc alpha 2----3Gal- terminal structures. Using these MAbs, we determined the distribution of such gangliosides in the spleen, kidney, and liver of several mice strains. Novel gangliosides reactive with these MAbs were detected in these tissues.     

Fatty acids of glycosphingolipids from pig blood fractions

Four glycolipids have been isolated from three fractions of pig blood. The glycolipids were presumably cerebroside, diglycosyl ceramide, triglycosyl ceramide, and globoside. The blood fractions were erythrocytes and plasma high and low density lipoproteins. Fatty acid distributions were determined for each glycolipid as a means to assist in identifying relationships among the several glycolipids. Normal fatty acids predominated in all glycolipids except the globosides from erythrocytes in which the amount of hydroxy acids was slightly greater than the amount of normal acids. Hydroxy acids appeared to be present in all the glycolipids, but the concentration was very low in cerebrosides isolated from high density lipoproteins and erythrocytes, and in diglycosyl ceramide and globoside of the low density lipoproteins. In general, the average fatty acid chain length increased from cerebroside to globoside. This was most apparent in erythrocytes and also greater for normal acids than for hydroxy acids. Fatty acid distributions of erythrocyte glycolipids had sufficient variation to make a metabolic relationship by simple addition of a hexose appear doubtful. While the fatty acid distributions found in plasma lipoproteins were more similar, some means of acyl group selection is probably present for either the synthesis or degradation of these glycolipids.