Studies of lectin binding to the human cervix uteri: II. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive squamous carcinoma

Summary The cell surface carbohydrate profile of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections of neoplastic cervical squamous epithelium was evaluated using lectins ofBauhinia purpurea (BPA),Canavalin ensiformis (Con A),Griffonia simplicifolia I (GS I),Griffonia simplicifolia II (GS II),Maclura pomifera (MPA),Archis hypogaea (PNA),Glycine max (SBA),Ulex europaeus I (UEA I) andTriticum vulgaris (WGA). Three lectins (BPA, Con A and PNA) showed a similar pattern of staining in both normal squamous epithelium and in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Variable alterations were seen in lectin-binding patterns in CIN with seven lectins (GS I, GS II, MPA, PNA, SBA, UEA I and WGA). A significant difference was seen between the intensity of staining of normal squamous epithelium and CIN with all lectins except WGA. The alteration in GS II-binding pattern and intensity was significantly related to grade of CIN. No correlation was found between lectin binding and the presence of koilocytes in squamous epithelium. Cases of invasive squamous carcinoma showed a heterogeneous lectin-binding pattern and no siginificant association was found between lectin binding and tumour differentiation or patient survival. These results indicate that neoplasia in cervical squamous epithelium is associated with alterations in terminal -Man residues, - and -GalNAc residues, - and -GlcNAc residues, - and -Gal residues, and -Fuc-containing residues, present in the outer parts of bothN-linked andO-linked glycoconjugates. The implications of these findings are discussed.