Heterogeneity of the ABH antigenic determinants expressed in human pyloric and duodenal mucosae

We defined the chemical structure and the genetic control of the various A or B determinants expressed by pyloric and duodenal epithelial cells by indirect immunofluorescent staining using monoclonal anti-A or anti-B reagents that recognize only certain variants of A or B antigenic determinants.Some mucous cells in pyloric and Brünner's glands express AY or BY antigens whereas other mucous cells in the same glands express only the Y antigen. Absorptive and goblet cells of the duodenal villi and Lieberkühn glands express mono- and difucosylated A or B structures, mainly of type 1. The pyloric surface epithelium expresses mono- and difucosylated, type 1 and type 2, A or B structures. In addition, A or B antigens, with a so far undefined structure are found in the pyloric surface mucosae of non-secretor individuals.