Frequency of Duffy, Kidd, Lewis, and Rh Blood Group Antigens and Phenotypes Among Donors in the Al-Ahsa Region, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: In Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, the high consanguinity rates contribute to the prevalence of inherited hemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia, which frequently require blood transfusions. These transfusions carry the risk of alloimmunization, necessitating a precise blood component matching to mitigate health risks. Local antigen frequency data is vital for optimizing transfusion practices and enhancing the safety of these medical procedures for the Al-Ahsa population. METHODS: This study investigated the distribution of Duffy, Kidd, Lewis, and Rh blood group antigens in 1,549 individuals from the region; comparing the frequencies with global data. RESULTS: Serological analyses revealed a high prevalence of the Fy(a+b-) and Jk(a+b+) phenotypes in the Duffy and Kidd blood groups, respectively, with Jk(a-b-) being notably scarce. The Lewis blood group exhibited a significant presence of Le(a-b+) and Le(a+b-) phenotypes, whereas Le(a+b+) was less common. In the Rh system, the D antigen was most prevalent, with other antigens following in descending order of frequency. CONCLUSIONS: The study underscores the regional variation in antigen frequencies, emphasizing the need for local blood banks to adapt their screening and matching practices to mitigate the risk of alloimmunization and enhance transfusion safety. These findings are pivotal for refining transfusion strategies and understanding the immunohematology landscape in Al-Ahsa.

mAb Das-1 recognizes 3'-Sulfated Lewis A/C, which is aberrantly expressed during metaplastic and oncogenic transformation of several gastrointestinal Epithelia.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple previous studies have shown the monoclonal antibody Das-1 (formerly called 7E12H12) is specifically reactive towards metaplastic and carcinomatous lesions in multiple organs of the gastrointestinal system (e.g. Barrett's esophagus, intestinal-type metaplasia of the stomach, gastric adenocarcinoma, high-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasm, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma) as well as in other organs (bladder and lung carcinomas). Beyond being a useful biomarker in tissue, mAb Das-1 has recently proven to be more accurate than current paradigms for identifying cysts harboring advanced neoplasia. Though this antibody has been used extensively for clinical, basic science, and translational applications for decades, its epitope has remained elusive. METHODS: In this study, we chemically deglycosylated a standard source of antigen, which resulted in near complete loss of the signal as measured by western blot analysis. The epitope recognized by mAb Das-1 was determined by affinity to a comprehensive glycan array and validated by inhibition of a direct ELISA. RESULTS: The epitope recognized by mAb Das-1 is 3'-Sulfo-Lewis A/C (3'-Sulfo-LeA/C). 3'-Sulfo-LeA/C is broadly reexpressed across numerous GI epithelia and elsewhere during metaplastic and carcinomatous transformation. DISCUSSION: 3'-Sulfo-LeA/C is a clinically important antigen that can be detected both intracellularly in tissue using immunohistochemistry and extracellularly in cyst fluid and serum by ELISA. The results open new avenues for tumorigenic risk stratification of various gastrointestinal lesions.

Lewis and ABO histo-blood types and the secretor status of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 implicate a role for ABO antibodies in susceptibility to infection with SARS-CoV-2.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) targets the respiratory and gastric epithelium, causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Tissue antigen expression variations influence host susceptibility to many infections. This study aimed to investigate the closely linked Lewis (FUT3) and ABO histo-blood types, including secretor (FUT2) status, to infections with SARS-CoV-2 and the corresponding severity of COVID-19. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Patients (Caucasians, n = 338) were genotyped for ABO, FUT3, and FUT2, and compared to a reference population of blood donors (n = 250,298). The association between blood types and severity of COVID-19 was addressed by dividing patients into four categories: hospitalized individuals in general wards, patients admitted to the intensive care unit with and without intubation, and deceased patients. Comorbidities were considered in subsequent analyses. RESULTS: Patients with blood type Lewis (a-b-) or O were significantly less likely to be hospitalized (odds ratio [OR] 0.669, confidence interval [CI] 0.446-0.971, OR 0.710, CI 0.556-0.900, respectively), while type AB was significantly more prevalent in the patient cohort (OR 1.519, CI 1.014-2.203). The proportions of secretors/nonsecretors, and Lewis a+ or Lewis b+ types were consistent between patients and controls. The analyzed blood groups were not associated with the clinical outcome as defined. DISCUSSION: Blood types Lewis (a-b-) and O were found to be protective factors, whereas the group AB is suggested to be a risk factor for COVID-19. The antigens investigated may not be prognostic for disease severity, but a role for ABO isoagglutinins in SARS-CoV-2 infections is strongly suggested.

Molecular and structural basis for Lewis glycan recognition by a cancer-targeting antibody.

Immunotherapy has been successful in treating many tumour types. The development of additional tumour-antigen binding monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) will help expand the range of immunotherapeutic targets. Lewis histo-blood group and related glycans are overexpressed on many carcinomas, including those of the colon, lung, breast, prostate and ovary, and can therefore be selectively targeted by mAbs. Here we examine the molecular and structural basis for recognition of extended Lea and Lex containing glycans by a chimeric mAb. Both the murine (FG88.2) IgG3 and a chimeric (ch88.2) IgG1 mAb variants showed reactivity to colorectal cancer cells leading to significantly reduced cell viability. We determined the X-ray structure of the unliganded ch88.2 fragment antigen-binding (Fab) containing two Fabs in the unit cell. A combination of molecular docking, glycan grafting and molecular dynamics simulations predicts two distinct subsites for recognition of Lea and Lex trisaccharides. While light chain residues were exclusively used for Lea binding, recognition of Lex involved both light and heavy chain residues. An extended groove is predicted to accommodate the Lea-Lex hexasaccharide with adjoining subsites for each trisaccharide. The molecular and structural details of the ch88.2 mAb presented here provide insight into its cross-reactivity for various Lea and Lex containing glycans. Furthermore, the predicted interactions with extended epitopes likely explains the selectivity of this antibody for targeting Lewis-positive tumours.

Lipo-Based Vaccines as an Approach to Target Dendritic Cells for Induction of T- and iNKT Cell Responses.

In this study we developed a liposome-based vaccine containing palmitoylated synthetic long peptides (SLP) and alpha galactosylceramide (αGC) to specifically target dendritic cells (DC) for activation of both innate (invariant natural killer T-cells [iNKT]) and adaptive (CD8+ T-cells) players of the immune system. Combination of model tumor specific antigens (gp100/MART-1) formulated as a SLP and αGC in one liposome results in strong activation of CD8+ and iNKT, as measured by IFNγ secretion. Moreover, addition of lipo-Lewis Y (LeY) to the liposomes for C-type lectin targeting increased not only uptake by monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDC), dermal dendritic cells and Langerhans cells but also enhanced gp100-specific CD8+ T- and iNKT cell activation by human skin-emigrated antigen presenting cells in an ex vivo explant model. Loading of moDC with liposomes containing LeY also showed priming of MART-126-35L specific CD8+ T-cells. In conclusion, chemically linking a lipid tail to a glycan-based targeting moiety and SLP combined with αGC in one liposome allows for easy generation of vaccine formulations that target multiple skin DC subsets and induce tumor antigen specific CD8+ T- and iNKT cells. These liposomes present a new vaccination strategy against tumors.

Comparative immunological studies of tumor-associated Lewis X, Lewis Y, and KH-1 antigens.

Tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens Lewis X (Lex), Lewis Y (Ley), and KH-1 are useful targets for cancer immunotherapy. In this regard, an insight into the structure-immunogenicity relationships of these antigens is important but this has not been systematically investigated yet. In the current study, Lex, Ley, and KH-1 antigens with a lactose unit at the reducing end as a spacer were synthesized and coupled with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) protein. Immunological evaluations of the resultant conjugates revealed that they all could elicit robust immune responses whilst the Ley conjugate could provoke the highest titers of total and IgG antibodies. The binding assays of their antisera to each antigen and to cancer cells showed that each antiserum had extensive cross-reaction with all three antigens as protein conjugates and strong but somewhat antigen-selective binding towards MCF-7 cancer cell. Moreover, none of these antisera had obvious binding to SKMEL-28 cancer cell that does not express Lex, Ley and KH-1. The results of assays of these antisera to mediate complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) to MCF-7 and SKMEL-28 cancer cells were very similar to the results of binding assays. Thus, it was concluded that all three antigens could form effective conjugate vaccines whereas the Ley conjugate induced the most robust immune responses and the antiserum of Lex had the highest binding and cytotoxicity to target cancer cells. In addition, as the antibodies induced by each antigen had extensive cross-reaction with other two antigens, either Lex or Ley or the two combined can be utilized to formulate effective conjugate vaccines for cancer immunotherapy. Another paradigm-shifting discovery of this study is that the presentation of Lex, Ley, and KH-1 antigens on cancer cell can be different from that in synthetic conjugates, which should be taken into consideration during the design and optimization of related cancer vaccines or immunotherapies.

Anti-Glycan Autoantibodies Induced by Helicobacter pylori as a Potential Risk Factor for Myocardial Infarction.

A number of epidemiological studies have evaluated the potential association between H. pylori and cardiovascular disease, but with contrasting results. We have previously shown that Helicobacter pylori infection is able to induce in mice and humans autoantibodies cross-reacting with histo-blood group Lewis antigens, expressed in different organs and in plasma glycoproteins and glycolipids. The aim of this study was to assess whether immunization of animals with H. pylori might induce myocardial histopathological changes. We have retrospectively examined, in detail, the histology of archived organs from mice and rabbits immunized with H. pylori in our previous studies. Human sera and cross-reacting monoclonal antibodies were also tested against bacterial preparations and tissue sections. Areas of myocardial necrosis, associated with coronary thrombotic occlusion, were found in 5 of 20 mice and 2 of 5 rabbits previously immunized with suspensions of H. pylori. No similar lesions were found in control animals, suggesting a causal link with H. pylori immunization. The animals bearing myocardial lesions had not been infected but only immunized months earlier with parenteral injections of dead H. pylori cells. This strongly suggests that immunization, by itself, might play a causative role. We propose that the cross-reactive autoimmune response induced by H. pylori could promote thrombotic occlusion through direct endothelial damage or by perturbing the coagulation process.

East-Asian Helicobacter pylori strains synthesize heptan-deficient lipopolysaccharide.

The lipopolysaccharide O-antigen structure expressed by the European Helicobacter pylori model strain G27 encompasses a trisaccharide, an intervening glucan-heptan and distal Lewis antigens that promote immune escape. However, several gaps still remain in the corresponding biosynthetic pathway. Here, systematic mutagenesis of glycosyltransferase genes in G27 combined with lipopolysaccharide structural analysis, uncovered HP0102 as the trisaccharide fucosyltransferase, HP1283 as the heptan transferase, and HP1578 as the GlcNAc transferase that initiates the synthesis of Lewis antigens onto the heptan motif. Comparative genomic analysis of G27 lipopolysaccharide biosynthetic genes in strains of different ethnic origin revealed that East-Asian strains lack the HP1283/HP1578 genes but contain an additional copy of HP1105 and JHP0562. Further correlation of different lipopolysaccharide structures with corresponding gene contents led us to propose that the second copy of HP1105 and the JHP0562 may function as the GlcNAc and Gal transferase, respectively, to initiate synthesis of the Lewis antigen onto the Glc-Trio-Core in East-Asian strains lacking the HP1283/HP1578 genes. In view of the high gastric cancer rate in East Asia, the absence of the HP1283/HP1578 genes in East-Asian H. pylori strains warrants future studies addressing the role of the lipopolysaccharide heptan in pathogenesis.

Synthesis of Lewis Y Analogues and Their Protein Conjugates for Structure-Immunogenicity Relationship Studies of Lewis Y Antigen.

Analogues of cancer-associated Lewis Y (Ley) antigen with varying structures at the reducing end were synthesized by a highly efficient strategy involving one-pot preactivation-based iterative glycosylation to obtain the key tetra-/pentasaccharide intermediates, which was followed by stereoselective fucosylation. After global deprotection, these oligosaccharides were coupled with carrier protein keyhole limpet hemocyanin. The resultant glycan-protein conjugates were subjected to immunological studies in mice. It was disclosed that the conjugate of the pentasaccharide analogue of Lewis Y antigen was more immunogenic than that of the hexasaccharide analogue, but the antisera of both conjugates could indiscriminately recognize each carbohydrate hapten. These results suggested that the short Lewis Y analogue may be utilized to develop functional conjugate cancer vaccines. More importantly, the results also proved that the reducing-end glucose residue in the hexasaccharide analogue of Lewis Y was probably not involved in its interaction with the immune system, whose discovery can have a broad impact on the design of new cancer vaccines.

Histo-blood group antigens and rotavirus vaccine shedding in Nicaraguan infants.

ABO, Lewis and secretor histo-blood group antigens (HBGA) are susceptibility factors for rotavirus in a P-genotype dependent manner and can influence IgA seroconversion rates following rotavirus vaccination. To investigate the association between HBGA phenotypes and rotavirus vaccine shedding fecal samples (n = 304) from a total of 141 infants vaccinated with Rotarix (n = 71) and RotaTeq (n = 70) were prospectively sampled in three time frames (≤3, 4-7 and ≥8 days) after first vaccination dose. Rotavirus was detected with qPCR and genotypes determined by G/P multiplex PCR and/or sequencing. HBGAs were determined by hemagglutination and saliva based ELISA. Low shedding rates were observed, with slightly more children vaccinated with RotaTeq (19%) than Rotarix (11%) shedding rotavirus at ≥4 days post vaccination (DPV). At ≥4 DPV no infant of Lewis A (n = 6) or nonsecretor (n = 9) phenotype in the Rotarix cohort shed rotavirus; the same observation was made for Lewis A infants (n = 7) in the RotaTeq cohort. Putative in-vivo gene reassortment among RotaTeq strains occurred, yielding mainly G1P[8] strains. The bovine derived P[5] genotype included in RotaTeq was able to replicate and be shed at long time frames (>13 DPV). The results of this study are consistent with that HBGA phenotype influences vaccine strain shedding as similarly observed for natural infections. Due to the low overall shedding rates observed, additional studies are however warranted.

Biologic roles of the ABH and Lewis histo-blood group antigens Part I: infection and immunity.

The ABH and Lewis antigens were among the first of the human red blood cell polymorphisms to be identified and, in the case of the former, play a dominant role in transfusion and transplantation. But these two therapies are largely twentieth century innovations, and the ABH and related carbohydrate antigens are not only expressed on a very wide range of human tissues, but were present in primates long before modern humans evolved. Although we have learned a great deal about the biochemistry and genetics of these structures, the biological roles that they play in human health and disease are incompletely understood. This review and its companion, to appear in a later issue of Vox Sanguinis, will focus on a few of the biologic and pathologic processes which appear to be affected by histo-blood group phenotype. The first of the two reviews will explore the interactions of two bacteria with the ABH and Lewis glycoconjugates of their human host cells, and describe the possible connections between the immune response of the human host to infection and the development of the AB-isoagglutinins. The second review will describe the relationship between ABO phenotype and thromboembolic disease, cardio-vascular disease states, and general metabolism.

Upregulation of MUC5AC production and deposition of LEWIS determinants by HELICOBACTER PYLORI facilitate gastric tissue colonization and the maintenance of infection.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori bacteria colonize human gastric mucosa, cause chronic inflammation, peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. Colonization is mediated by H. pylori adhesins, which preferentially bind mucin 5 (MUC5AC) and Lewis (Le) determinants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of H. pylori and their components on MUC5AC production and deposition of LeX/LeY in gastric epithelial cells in relation to bacterial adhesion using Caviae porcellus primary gastric epithelial cells and an in vivo model of experimental H. pylori infection in these animals. METHODS: MUCA5C and LeX/LeY were induced in vitro by live H. pylori reference strain CCUG 17874 (2 × 107 CFU/ml), H. pylori glycine acid extract (GE), 10 µg/ml; cytotoxin associated gene A (CagA) protein, 1 µl/ml; UreA urease subunit, 5 µg/ml; lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 25 ng/ml and imaged by fluorescence microscopy after anti-MUC5AC or anti-LeX/LeY FITC antibody staining. Bacterial adhesion was imaged by using anti-H. pylori FITC antibodies. The animals were inoculated per os with H. pylori (3 times in 2 days intervals, 1 × 1010 CFU/ml). After 7 or 28 days an infection and inflammation were assessed by histological, serological and molecular methods. Gastric tissue sections of infected and control animals were screend for MUCA5C and LeX, and H. pylori adhesion as above. RESULTS: MUC5AC production and deposition of Lewis determinants, especially LeX were upregulated in the milieu of live H. pylori as well as GE, CagA, UreA or LPS in vitro and in vivo during infection, more effectively in the acute (7 days) than in the chronic (28 days) phase of infection. This was related to enhanced adhesion of H. pylori, which was abrogated by anti-MUC5AC and anti-LeX or anti-LeY antibody treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Modulation of MUCA5C production and LeX/LeY deposition in the gastric mucosa by H. pylori can significantly increase gastric tissue colonization during H. pylori infection.

Human adenovirus type 5 increases host cell fucosylation and modifies Ley antigen expression.

Certain viral infections are known to modify the glycosylation profile of infected cells through the overexpression of specific host cell fucosyltransferases (FUTs). Infection with CMV (cytomegalovirus), HCV (hepatitis C virus), HSV-1 (herpes simplex virus type-1) and VZV (varicella-zoster virus) increase the expression of fucosylated epitopes, including antigens sLex (Siaα2-3 Galß1-4(Fucα1-3)GlcNAcß1-R) and Ley (Fucα1-2 Galß1-4(Fucα1-3)GlcNAcß1-R). The reorganization of the glycocalyx induced by viral infection may favor the spread of viral progeny, and alter diverse biological functions mediated by glycans, including recognition by the adaptive immune system. In this work, we aimed to establish whether infection with human adenovirus type 5 (HAd5), a well-known viral vector and infectious agent, causes changes in the glycosylation profile of A549 cells, used as a model of lung epithelium, a natural target of HAd5. We demonstrate for the first time that HAd5 infection causes a significant increase in the cell surface de novo fucosylation, as assessed by metabolic labeling, and that such modification is dependent on the expression of viral genes. The main type of increased fucosylation was determined to be in α1-2 linkage, as assessed by UEA-I lectin binding and supported by the overexpression of FUT1 and FUT2. Also, HAd5-infected cells showed a heterogeneous change in the expression profile of the bi-fucosylated Ley antigen, an antigen associated with enhanced cell proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis.

Regional variations in human milk oligosaccharides in Vietnam suggest FucTx activity besides FucT2 and FucT3.

Breastfeeding is the normal way of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development (WHO). Human milk oligosaccharides (hMOS) constitute a highly important class of nutrients that are attracting strong attention in recent years. Several studies have indicated that hMOS have prebiotic properties, but also are effective in anti-adhesion of pathogens, modulating the immune system and providing nutrients for brain growth and development. Most of the latter functions seem to be linked to the presence of fucose-containing immunodeterminant epitopes, and Neu5Ac-bearing oligosaccharides. Analysis of hMOS isolated from 101 mothers' milk showed regional variation in Lewis- and Secretor based immunodeterminants. Lewis-negative milk groups could be sub-divided into two sub-groups, based on the activity of a third and hitherto unidentified fucosyltransferase enzyme. Analysis of hMOS remaining in faeces showed three sub-groups based on hMOS surviving passage through the gut, full consumption, specific partial consumption and non-specific partial consumption, fitting previous findings.

Immune responses against Lewis Y tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen displayed densely on self-assembling nanocarriers.

Immune responses against Lewis y (LY) displayed on nanocarriers at different surface densities were studied. The high surface density of LY was obtained by the A2B-type amphiphilic polypeptides having LY at the two terminals [LY-poly(sarcosine)2-b-(l- or d-Leu-Aib)6]. The equimolar mixture of these two amphiphilic polypeptides formed interdigitated planar sheet-like molecular assemblies densely displaying LY (G4). G4 seemed to induce the anti-LY IgM upon immunization to BALB/c mice by only a single administration. However, the amount of anti-LY IgM produced was moderate and significantly less than that induced by two administrations of the other molecular assembly (G1) with the average surface density of LY at a 1/4 of that of G4. Further, the anti-LY IgM produced after two administrations of G4 lowered the avidity more than after one administration.

Lewis(y) antigen-mediated positive feedback loop induces and promotes chemotherapeutic resistance in ovarian cancer.

The present study aimed to investigate the association between Lewis(y) antigen and chemoresistance in ovarian cancer and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Lewis(y) expression in chemoresistant ovarian cancer tissues and cells was detected by immunohistochemistry. α1,2­fucosyltransferase (FUT1) expression in different ovarian cancer chemotherapy-resistant cells was analyzed by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Genes differentially expressed in the chemoresistant and sensitive groups were screened using a gene chip followed by validation using RT-qPCR and western blot analysis. We found that Lewis(y) and FUT1 expression in ovarian cancer cells was significantly increased following the induction of drug resistance. The positive expression rate and intensity of Lewis(y) in ovarian cancer chemoresistant tissues were also significantly higher than those in the sensitive group. Compared with the non-resistant cell lines, the differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in the terms related to the transmembrane receptor protein tyrosine kinase signaling pathway and positive regulation of cell proliferation. Interaction network analysis predicted genes participating in the regulation of apoptotic processes. The highly differential expression of Annexin A4 (ANXA4), BCL2 interacting killer (BIK), transmembrane 4 L six family member 4 (TM4SF4) and pleckstrin homology-like domain family A member 1 (PHLDA1) was validated using RT-qPCR in ovarian cancer cell lines. Finally, ANXA4 expression was increased at both the mRNA and protein level in the drug­resistant cells, and in addition, ANXA4 contained a Lewis(y) structure. The expression of Bcl-2 and other anti-apoptotic proteins increased with the increase of Lewis(y) expression. After blocking Lewis(y) using an antibody, the expression of the involved signaling pathway and apoptosis-related proteins decreased significantly. These findings provide strong evidence that Lewis(y) is a component of the structure of the ANXA4 membrane protein. Its overexpression can abnormally activate signaling pathways and regulate the expression of a number of factors, forming a positive feedback loop to induce the chemoresistance of ovarian cancer cells, and ultimately promoting the progression of ovarian cancer.

Tumor-Shed Antigen Affects Antibody Tumor Targeting: Comparison of Two 89Zr-Labeled Antibodies Directed against Shed or Nonshed Antigens.

We investigated the effect of shed antigen mesothelin on the tumor uptake of amatuximab, a therapeutic anti-mesothelin mAb clinically tested in mesothelioma patients. The B3 mAb targeting a nonshed antigen was also analyzed for comparison. The mouse model implanted with A431/H9 tumor, which expresses both shed mesothelin and nonshed Lewis-Y antigen, provided an ideal system to compare the biodistribution and PET imaging profiles of the two mAbs. Our study demonstrated that the tumor and organ uptakes of 89Zr-B3 were dose-independent when 3 doses, 2, 15, and 60 µg B3, were compared at 24 h after injection. In contrast, tumor and organ uptakes of 89Zr-amatuximab were dose-dependent, whereby a high dose (60 µg) was needed to achieve tumor targeting comparable to the low dose (2 µg) of 89Zr-B3, suggesting that shed mesothelin may affect amatuximab tumor targeting as well as serum half-life. The autoradiography analysis showed that the distribution of 89Zr-B3 was nonuniform with the radioactivity primarily localized at the tumor periphery independent of the B3 dose. However, the autoradiography analysis for 89Zr-amatuximab showed dose-dependent distribution profiles of the radiolabel; at 10 µg dose, the radiolabel penetrated toward the tumor core with its activity comparable to that at the tumor periphery, whereas at 60 µg dose, the distribution profile became similar to those of 89Zr-B3. These results suggest that shed antigen in blood may act as a decoy requiring higher doses of mAb to improve serum half-life as well as tumor targeting. Systemic mAb concentration should be at a severalfold molar excess to the shed Ag in blood to overcome the hepatic processing of mAb-Ag complexes. On the other hand, mAb concentration should remain lower than the shed Ag concentration in the tumor ECS to maximize tumor penetration by passing binding site barriers.

Development of a Surrogate Neutralization Assay for Norovirus Vaccine Evaluation at the Cellular Level.

Noroviruses (NoVs) are the main pathogens responsible for sporadic and epidemic nonbacterial gastroenteritis, causing an estimated 219,000 deaths annually worldwide. There is no commercially available vaccine for NoVs, due partly to the difficulty in establishing NoV cell culture models. The histo-blood group antigen (HBGA) blocking assay is used extensively to assess the protective potential of candidate vaccine-elicited antibodies, but there is still no widely used cellular evaluation model. In this study, we have established a cell line-based NoV vaccine evaluation model through the construction of human α1,2-fucosyltransferase 2-overexpressing 293T (293T-FUT2) cell lines. The 293T-FUT2 cells stably expressed H type 2 and Lewis y antigens. Virus-like particles (VLPs) of the NoV prototype strain genogroup I.1 (GI.1) and the predominant strains GII.4 and GII.17 could attach to the cell line efficiently in a dose-dependent manner. Importantly, antisera against these NoV VLPs could inhibit the attachment of the VLPs, where the inhibitory effects measured by the attachment inhibition assay correlated significantly with the antibody levels determined by the HBGA blocking assay. Collectively, our attachment inhibition assay could serve as a surrogate neutralization assay for the evaluation of NoV vaccines at the cellular level.

Function-spacer-lipid constructs of Lewis and chimeric Lewis/ABH glycans. Synthesis and use in serological studies.

Seven lipophilic constructs containing Lewis (Lea, Leb, Ley) or chimeric Lewis/ABH (ALeb, BLeb, ALey, BLey) glycans were obtained starting from corresponding oligosaccharides in form of 3-aminopropyl glycosides. ALeb and BLeb pentasaccharides were synthesized via [3 + 1] blockwise approach. The constructs (neoglycolipids, or FSLs) were inserted in erythrocyte membrane, and obtained "kodecytes" were used to map the immunochemical specificity of historical and contemporary monoclonal and polyclonal blood group system Lewis reagents.

Role of difucosylated Lewis Y antigen in outcome of locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma treated with cisplatin regimen.

BACKGROUND: Several mechanisms are involved in the development of resistance to therapy in locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma (LACSCC). Studies have shown that CD44 and Lewis Y antigen (LeY) form a complex that is associated with chemoresistance, tumor invasion and metastasis. We assessed the role of CD44 and LeY in the outcome of LACSCC patients treated with different chemotherapy regimens. METHODS: 126 LACSCC patients at FIGO stages IIB-IVA were selected from the GOCS database: 74 patients included in 3 different prospective phase II trials in the neoadjuvant setting (vinorelbine, docetaxel, ifosfamide-vinorelbine-cisplatin) and 52 patients treated with standard radiochemotherapy based on cisplatin (RCBC). Clinical data at baseline, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were recorded. Univariate and multivariate Cox models were employed. RESULTS: Median age was 45.6 years (range: 24.9-80.5). Sixty-three and 47 tumors were CD44+ and LeY+, respectively. Tumors with expansive growth showed higher grade (p = 0.0024), mitotic index (p = 0.0505), tumor necrosis (p = 0.0191), LeY+ (p = 0.0034) and CD44+/LeY+ coexpression (p = 0.0334). CD44+ cells were present in 91.3% of patients with local recurrence (p = 0.0317). Advanced stage was associated with LeY+ tumors. Patients treated with RCBC had worse DFS and OS when their tumors expressed LeY (p = 0.0083 and p = 0.0137, respectively). Pre-treatment hemoglobin level, FIGO stage and tumor response remained the most significant prognostic factors in Cox regression. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort of LACSCC patients, the coexpression of CD44 and LeY was not associated with worse outcome. However, in the subgroup of patients receiving RCBC, LeY expression was correlated with shorter DFS and OS.