Lectin cytochemical characterization of the N- and O-linked oligosaccharides in the human rectum

The oligosaccharides of the mucus glycoproteins of the human rectum are important for the lubricant and protective role suggested for the rectal mucus. Changes in oligosaccharide composition are observed in several colon diseases, and some of these changes could be used as diagnostic and prognostic indicators. Thus, a previous knowledge of the normal mucus glycoproteins is necessary. The aim of the present study is the characterization of the oligosaccharides of the goblet cells and enterocytes of the human rectum. For this, a battery of 15 lectins, in combination with chemical and enzymatic deglycosylation procedures, was used. Our results suggest the presence of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), Man, Glc, N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac)(2–6)- and Neu5Ac(2–3)-linked, N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) and Gal(1–3)GalNAc in the oligosaccharides of the goblet cells. Moreover, N-linked oligosaccharides specifically contained Gal(1–4)GlcNAc, while AAA-positive Fuc was only detected in O-linked oligosaccharides. Some of these carbohydrates were only visualized after removal of N- or O-linked oligosaccharides, suggesting a high level of approximation between the oligosaccharide chains, that render the carbohydrate inaccessible to the lectins. Differences in the labelling pattern between the goblet cells of the surface epithelium and the upper half of the crypts, and those of the lower half of the crypts suggests a maturation process for the goblet cells, which modifies the oligosaccharide composition of the secreted glycoproteins, as they ascend throughout the crypts. This maturation process includes the incorporation of new carbohydrates (GlcNAc), and the masking (Neu5Ac(2–3)-linked) or unmasking (Glc and GalNAc) of others.