Differentiation of HeLa Cells with respect to Blood Group H Antigen

The appearance of blood group O(H) on HeLa cells reflects a sequence of events resulting in the formation of a specific fucosyltransferase enzyme which catalyses the transfer of the immunodeterminant sugar, L-fucose, to a pre-existing cellular macromolecule producing the H antigen. The stability of the H antigen on this continuously cultured cell line¹ suggests its use as a marker to study cellular self-renewal and intermediate metabolism leading to blood group formation. Group H was selected as it is stable on the HeLa cell and the biochemical genetics of soluble group H are reasonably clear². Although group H of HeLa cells is membrane associated and not soluble, it is assumed that cell bound H formation is similar to that of soluble H formation and that a fucose enriched glycolipid molecule on the surface of the HeLa cell adopts the serological behaviour of group H. Also, mixed agglutination of HeLa cells by anti-H ulex extract is inhibited by 10^?3 M L-fucose; other sugars do not possess inhibitory activity.