Comprehensive characterization of complex glycosphingolipids in human pancreatic cancer tissues.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, accounting for 90% of primary pancreatic tumors with an average 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. PDAC exhibits aggressive biology, which, together with late detection, results in most PDAC patients presenting with unresectable, locally advanced, or metastatic disease. In-depth lipid profiling and screening of potential biomarkers currently appear to be a promising approach for early detection of PDAC or other cancers. Here, we isolated and characterized complex glycosphingolipids (GSL) from normal and tumor pancreatic tissues of patients with PDAC using a combination of TLC, chemical staining, carbohydrate-recognized ligand-binding assay, and LC/ESI-MS2. The major neutral GSL identified were GSL with the terminal blood groups A, B, H, Lea, Leb, Lex, Ley, P1, and PX2 determinants together with globo- (Gb3 and Gb4) and neolacto-series GSL (nLc4 and nLc6). We also revealed that the neutral GSL profiles and their relative amounts differ between normal and tumor tissues. Additionally, the normal and tumor pancreatic tissues differ in type 1/2 core chains. Sulfatides and GM3 gangliosides were the predominant acidic GSL along with the minor sialyl-nLc4/nLc6 and sialyl-Lea/Lex. The comprehensive analysis of GSL in human PDAC tissues extends the GSL coverage and provides an important platform for further studies of GSL alterations; therefore, it could contribute to the development of new biomarkers and therapeutic approaches.

Characterization of novel nonacid glycosphingolipids as biomarkers of human gastric adenocarcinoma.

Changes in glycosphingolipid structures have been shown to occur during the development of several types of human cancers, generating cancer-specific carbohydrate structures that could be used as biomarkers for diagnosis and therapeutic targeting. In this study, we characterized nonacid glycosphingolipids isolated from a human gastric adenocarcinoma by mass spectrometry, enzymatic hydrolysis, and by binding with a battery of carbohydrate-recognizing ligands. We show that the majority of the complex nonacid glycosphingolipids had type 2 (Galß4GlcNAc) core chains (neolactotetraosylceramide, the Lex, H type 2, x2, and the P1 pentaosylceramides, and the Ley, A type 2, and neolacto hexaosylceramides). We also found glycosphingolipids with type 1 (Galß3GlcNAc) core (lactotetraosylceramide and the H type 1 pentaosylceramide) and globo (GalαGal) core chains (globotriaosylceramide and globotetraosylceramide). Interestingly, we characterized two complex glycosphingolipids as a P1 heptaosylceramide (Galα4Galß4GlcNAcß3Galß4GlcNAcß3Gal ß4Glcß1Cer) and a branched P1 decaosylceramide (Galα4Gal ß4GlcNAcß3(Galα4Galß4GlcNAcß6)Galß4GlcNAcß3Galß4Glc ß1Cer). These are novel glycosphingolipid structures and the first reported cases of complex glycosphingolipids larger than pentaosylceramide carrying the P1 trisaccharide. We propose that these P1 glycosphingolipids may represent potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis of gastric cancer.

Porcine intestinal glycosphingolipids recognized by Brachyspira hyodysenteriae.

Swine dysentery caused by Brachyspira hyodysenteriae is a disease present worldwide with an important economic impact on the farming business, resulting in an increased use of antibiotics. In the present study, we investigated the binding of B. hyodysenteriae to glycosphingolipids from porcine small intestinal epithelium in order to determine the glycosphingolipids involved in B. hyodysenteriae adhesion. Specific interactions between B. hyodysenteriae and two non-acid glycosphingolipids were obtained. These binding-active glycosphingolipids, were characterized by mass spectrometry as lactotetraosylceramide (Galß3GlcNAcß3Galß4Glcß1Cer) and the B5 glycosphingolipid (Galα3Galß4GlcNAcß3Galß4Glcß1Cer). Comparative binding studies using structurally related reference glycosphingolipids showed that B. hyodysenteriae binding to lactotetraosylceramide required an unsubstituted terminal Galß3GlcNAc sequence, while for binding to the B5 pentaosylceramide the terminal Galα3Galß4GlcNAc sequence is the minimum element recognized by the bacteria. Binding of Griffonia simplicifolia IB4 lectin to pig colon tissue sections from healthy control pig and B. hyodysenteriae infected pigs showed that in the healthy pigs the Galα3Gal epitope was mainly present in the lamina propria. In contrast, in four out of five pigs with swine dysentery there was an increased expression of Galα3Gal in the goblet cells and in the colonic crypts, where B. hyodysenteriae also was present. The one pig that had recovered by the time of necropsy had the Galα3Gal epitope only in the lamina propria. These data are consistent with a model where a transient increase in the carbohydrate sequence recognized by the bacteria occur in colonic mucins during B. hyodysenteriae infection, suggesting that the mucins may act as decoys contributing to clearance of the infection. These findings may lead to novel strategies for treatment of B. hyodysenteriae induced swine dysentery.

Characterization of the ganglioside recognition profile of Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin LT-IIc.

The heat-labile enterotoxins of Escherichia coli and cholera toxin of Vibrio cholerae are related in structure and function. Each of these oligomeric toxins is comprised of one A polypeptide and five B polypeptides. The B-subunits bind to gangliosides, which are followed by uptake into the intoxicated cell and activation of the host's adenylate cyclase by the A-subunits. There are two antigenically distinct groups of these toxins. Group I includes cholera toxin and type I heat-labile enterotoxin of E. coli; group II contains the type II heat-labile enterotoxins of E. coli. Three variants of type II toxins, designated LT-IIa, LT-IIb and LT-IIc have been described. Earlier studies revealed the crystalline structure of LT-IIb. Herein the carbohydrate binding specificity of LT-IIc B-subunits was investigated by glycosphingolipid binding studies on thin-layer chromatograms and in microtiter wells. Binding studies using a large variety of glycosphingolipids showed that LT-IIc binds with high affinity to gangliosides with a terminal Neu5Acα3Gal or Neu5Gcα3Gal, e.g. the gangliosides GM3, GD1a and Neu5Acα3-/Neu5Gcα3--neolactotetraosylceramide and Neu5Acα3-/Neu5Gcα3-neolactohexaosylceramide. The crystal structure of LT-IIc B-subunits alone and with bound LSTd/sialyl-lacto-N-neotetraose d pentasaccharide uncovered the molecular basis of the ganglioside recognition. These studies revealed common and unique functional structures of the type II family of heat-labile enterotoxins.

The binding mechanism of the virulence factor Streptococcus suis adhesin P subtype to globotetraosylceramide is associated with systemic disease.

Streptococcus suis is part of the pig commensal microbiome but strains can also be pathogenic, causing pneumonia and meningitis in pigs as well as zoonotic meningitis. According to genomic analysis, S. suis is divided into asymptomatic carriage, respiratory and systemic strains with distinct genomic signatures. Because the strategies to target pathogenic S. suis are limited, new therapeutic approaches are needed. The virulence factor S. suis adhesin P (SadP) recognizes the galabiose Galα1-4Gal-oligosaccharide. Based on its oligosaccharide fine specificity, SadP can be divided into subtypes PN and PO We show here that subtype PN is distributed in the systemic strains causing meningitis, whereas type PO is found in asymptomatic carriage and respiratory strains. Both types of SadP are shown to predominantly bind to pig lung globotriaosylceramide (Gb3). However, SadP adhesin from systemic subtype PN strains also binds to globotetraosylceramide (Gb4). Mutagenesis studies of the galabiose-binding domain of type PN SadP adhesin showed that the amino acid asparagine 285, which is replaced by an aspartate residue in type PO SadP, was required for binding to Gb4 and, strikingly, was also required for interaction with the glycomimetic inhibitor phenylurea-galabiose. Molecular dynamics simulations provided insight into the role of Asn-285 for Gb4 and phenylurea-galabiose binding, suggesting additional hydrogen bonding to terminal GalNAc of Gb4 and the urea group. Thus, the Asn-285-mediated molecular mechanism of type PN SadP binding to Gb4 could be used to selectively target S. suis in systemic disease without interfering with commensal strains, opening up new avenues for interventional strategies against this pathogen.

Structural basis for Acinetobacter baumannii biofilm formation.

Acinetobacter baumannii-a leading cause of nosocomial infections-has a remarkable capacity to persist in hospital environments and medical devices due to its ability to form biofilms. Biofilm formation is mediated by Csu pili, assembled via the "archaic" chaperone-usher pathway. The X-ray structure of the CsuC-CsuE chaperone-adhesin preassembly complex reveals the basis for bacterial attachment to abiotic surfaces. CsuE exposes three hydrophobic finger-like loops at the tip of the pilus. Decreasing the hydrophobicity of these abolishes bacterial attachment, suggesting that archaic pili use tip-fingers to detect and bind to hydrophobic cavities in substrates. Antitip antibody completely blocks biofilm formation, presenting a means to prevent the spread of the pathogen. The use of hydrophilic materials instead of hydrophobic plastics in medical devices may represent another simple and cheap solution to reduce pathogen spread. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the tip-fingers binding mechanism is shared by all archaic pili carrying two-domain adhesins. The use of flexible fingers instead of classical receptor-binding cavities is presumably more advantageous for attachment to structurally variable substrates, such as abiotic surfaces.

Characterization of Human Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma Glycosphingolipids Identifies Potential Cancer Markers.

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) accounts for only 1-2% of thyroid cancers; however, metastatic MTC is a mortal disease with no cure. In this study, glycosphingolipids were isolated from human MTCs and characterized by mass spectrometry and binding of carbohydrate recognizing ligands. The tissue distribution of selected compounds was investigated by immunohistochemistry. The amount of acid glycosphingolipids in the MTCs was higher than in the normal thyroid glands. The major acid glycosphingolipid was the GD3 ganglioside. Sulfatide and the gangliosides GM3 and GD1a were also present. The majority of the complex non-acid glycosphingolipids had type 2 (Galß4GlcNAc) core chains, i.e., the neolactotetraosylceramide, the Lex, H type 2 and x2 pentaosylceramides, the Ley and A type 2 hexaosylceramides, and the A type 2 heptaosylceramide. There were also compounds with globo (GalαGalß4Glc) core, i.e., globotriaosylceramide, globotetraosylceramide, the Forssman pentaosylceramide, and the Globo H hexaosylceramide. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated an extensive expression av Ley in the MTC cells and also a variable intensity and prevalence of Globo H and Lex. One individual with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B expressed the Forssman determinant, which is rarely found in humans. This study of human MTC glycosphingolipids identifies glycans that could serve as potential tumor-specific markers.

Characterization of Glycosphingolipids in the Human Parathyroid and Thyroid Glands.

As part of a systematic investigation of the glycosphingolipids in human tissues, acid and non-acid glycosphingolipids from human thyroid and parathyroid glands were isolated and characterized with mass spectrometry and binding of carbohydrate-recognizing ligands, with a focus on complex compounds. The glycosphingolipid patterns of the human parathyroid and thyroid glands were very similar. The major acid glycosphingolipids were sulfatide and the gangliosides GM3, GD3, GD1a, GD1b, GT1b and Neu5Ac-neolactotetraosylceramide, and the major non-acid glycosphingolipids were globotriaosylceramide and globoside. We also found neolactotetra- and neolactohexaosylceramide, the x2 glycosphingolipid, and complex glycosphingolipids with terminal blood group O and A determinants in both tissues. A glycosphingolipid with blood group Leb determinant was identified in the thyroid gland, and the parathyroid sample had a glycosphingolipid with terminal blood group B determinant. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated the expression of blood group A antigens in both the thyroid and parathyroid glands. A weak cytoplasmatic expression of the GD1a ganglioside was present in the thyroid, while the parathyroid gland had a strong GD1a expression on the cell surface. Thus, the glycosylation of human thyroid and parathyroid glands is more complex than previously appreciated. Our findings provide a platform for further studies of alterations of cell surface glycosphingolipids in thyroid and parathyroid cancers.

Characterization of sheep erythrocyte glycosphingolipids recognized by human anti-Forssman antibodies.

The FORS histo-blood group system is the most recently discovered carbohydrate-based human blood group system. FORS is a rare blood group system, and most individuals have naturally occurring anti-FORS1 antibodies in plasma. Screening for anti-FORS1 antibodies is often done by hemagglutination assays using FORS1-expressing sheep erythrocytes, since FORS1-positive human erythrocytes are most often not available. Here, we have characterized the non-acid glycosphingolipids from sheep erythrocytes and isolated subfractions, with mass spectrometry, binding of antibodies and lectins, and by enzymatic hydrolysis. This demonstrated the presence of Forssman and Galili pentaosylceramides, and a Galili heptaosylceramide. Two complex glycosphingolipids recognized by human anti-FORS1 antibodies were characterized as a Forssman neolacto hybrid hexaosylceramide (GalNAcα3GalNAcß3Galß4GlcNAcß3Galß4Glcß1Cer) and a Forssman Galili hybrid heptaosylceramide (GalNAcα3GalNAcß3Galα3Galß4GlcNAcß3Galß4Glcß1Cer). These are novel glycosphingolipid structures, and to our knowledge, the first case of an elongated Galili antigen. Thus, the anti-Forssman antibodies in human serum bind not only to the classical Forssman pentaosylceramide (GalNAcα3GalNAcß3Galα4Galß4Glcß1Cer), but also when the GalNAcα3GalNAcß3 sequence is presented on a neolacto core chain and even on a Galili carbohydrate sequence.

GM1 ganglioside-independent intoxication by Cholera toxin.

Cholera toxin (CT) enters and intoxicates host cells after binding cell surface receptors via its B subunit (CTB). We have recently shown that in addition to the previously described binding partner ganglioside GM1, CTB binds to fucosylated proteins. Using flow cytometric analysis of primary human jejunal epithelial cells and granulocytes, we now show that CTB binding correlates with expression of the fucosylated Lewis X (LeX) glycan. This binding is competitively blocked by fucosylated oligosaccharides and fucose-binding lectins. CTB binds the LeX glycan in vitro when this moiety is linked to proteins but not to ceramides, and this binding can be blocked by mAb to LeX. Inhibition of glycosphingolipid synthesis or sialylation in GM1-deficient C6 rat glioma cells results in sensitization to CT-mediated intoxication. Finally, CT gavage produces an intact diarrheal response in knockout mice lacking GM1 even after additional reduction of glycosphingolipids. Hence our results show that CT can induce toxicity in the absence of GM1 and support a role for host glycoproteins in CT intoxication. These findings open up new avenues for therapies to block CT action and for design of detoxified enterotoxin-based adjuvants.

Helicobacter pylori-binding nonacid glycosphingolipids in the human stomach.

Helicobacter pylori has a number of well-characterized carbohydrate-binding adhesins (BabA, SabA, and LabA) that promote adhesion to the gastric mucosa. In contrast, information on the glycoconjugates present in the human stomach remains unavailable. Here, we used MS and binding of carbohydrate-recognizing ligands to characterize the glycosphingolipids of three human stomachs from individuals with different blood group phenotypes (O(Rh-)P, A(Rh+)P, and A(Rh+)p), focusing on compounds recognized by H. pylori We observed a high degree of structural complexity, and the composition of glycosphingolipids differed among individuals with different blood groups. The type 2 chain was the dominating core chain of the complex glycosphingolipids in the human stomach, in contrast to the complex glycosphingolipids in the human small intestine, which have mainly a type 1 core. H. pylori did not bind to the O(Rh-)P stomach glycosphingolipids, whose major complex glycosphingolipids were neolactotetraosylceramide, the Lex, Lea, and H type 2 pentaosylceramides, and the Ley hexaosylceramide. Several H. pylori-binding compounds were present among the A(Rh+)P and A(Rh+)p stomach glycosphingolipids. Ligands for BabA-mediated binding of H. pylori were the Leb hexaosylceramide, the H type 1 pentaosylceramide, and the A type 1/ALeb heptaosylceramide. Additional H. pylori-binding glycosphingolipids recognized by BabA-deficient strains were lactosylceramide, lactotetraosylceramide, the x2 pentaosylceramide, and neolactohexaosylceramide. Our characterization of human gastric receptors required for H. pylori adhesion provides a basis for the development of specific compounds that inhibit the binding of this bacterium to the human gastric mucosa.

Lysosomal alpha-galactosidase controls the generation of self lipid antigens for natural killer T cells.

Natural Killer T (NKT) cells are lipid-reactive, CD1d-restricted T lymphocytes important in infection, cancer, and autoimmunity. In addition to foreign antigens, NKT cells react with endogenous self lipids. However, in the face of stimulating self antigen, it remains unclear how overstimulation of NKT cells is avoided. We hypothesized that constantly degraded endogenous antigen only accumulates upon inhibition of alpha-galactosidase A (alpha-Gal-A) in lysosomes. Here, we show that alpha-Gal-A deficiency caused vigorous activation of NKT cells. Moreover, microbes induced inhibition of alpha-Gal-A activity in antigen-presenting cells. This temporary enzyme block depended on Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling and ultimately triggered lysosomal lipid accumulation. Thus, we present TLR-dependent negative regulation of alpha-Gal-A as a mechanistic link between pathogen recognition and self lipid antigen induction for NKT cells.

Glycosphingolipids of porcine, bovine, and equine pericardia as potential immune targets in bioprosthetic heart valve grafts.

BACKGROUND: Pericardial tissue from various animal species is utilized for the production of the bioprosthetic heart valves (BHV) used clinically. Experimental data show that the eventual breakdown of BHV is partly due to immunological interactions with carbohydrate tissue antigens. To understand these processes, we have examined the glycolipid-based carbohydrate antigens in naïve porcine, bovine, and equine pericardia. EXPERIMENTAL: Total non-acid and acid glycosphingolipid fractions were isolated from porcine, bovine, and equine pericardia, and individual glycolipid compounds were characterized by thin-layer chromatography, mass spectrometry, and binding of monoclonal antibodies, lectins and bacteria in chromatogram binding assays. RESULTS: The non-acid glycolipid fractions from all species contained glycosphingolipids based on the globo- and neolacto-series, including pentaglycosylceramides with terminal Galα3 determinants. Terminal blood group A and H (O) structures based on type 2 core chains were present in porcine pericardium, while the Forssman pentaosylceramide was found in equine pericardium. All acid glycolipid fractions contained sulfatide and several gangliosides with both N-acetyl- and N-glycolyl-neuraminic acid as terminal saccharide chain determinants. CONCLUSION: Several carbohydrate antigens which are potential targets for the human immune system have been identified in the animal pericardial tissues used for the production of BHV. Which of these antigens are left in the tissues after industrial BHV production processes, as well as their potential role in eventual BHV degradation, remains to be elucidated.

Comparison of the glycosphingolipids of human-induced pluripotent stem cells and human embryonic stem cells.

High expectations are held for human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) since they are established from autologous tissues thus overcoming the risk of allogeneic immune rejection when used in regenerative medicine. However, little is known regarding the cell-surface carbohydrate antigen profile of hiPSC compared with human embryonic stem cells (hESC). Here, glycosphingolipids were isolated from an adipocyte-derived hiPSC line, and hiPSC and hESC glycosphingolipids were compared by concurrent characterization by binding assays with carbohydrate-recognizing ligands and mass spectrometry. A high similarity between the nonacid glycosphingolipids of hiPSC and hESC was found. The nonacid glycosphingolipids P1 pentaosylceramide, x2 pentaosylceramide and H type 1 heptaosylceramide, not previously described in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC), were characterized in both hiPSC and hESC. The composition of acid glycosphingolipids differed, with increased levels of GM3 ganglioside, and reduced levels of GD1a/GD1b in hiPSC when compared with hESC. In addition, the hESC glycosphingolipids sulf-globopentaosylceramide and sialyl-globotetraosylceramide were lacking in hiPSC. Neural stem cells differentiating from hiPSC had a reduced expression of sialyl-lactotetra, whereas expression of the GD1a ganglioside was significantly increased. Thus, while sialyl-lactotetra is a marker of undifferentiated hPSC, GD1a is a novel marker of neural differentiation.

Structural basis for Myf and Psa fimbriae-mediated tropism of pathogenic strains of Yersinia for host tissues.

Three pathogenic species of the genus Yersinia assemble adhesive fimbriae via the FGL-chaperone/usher pathway. Closely related Y. pestis and Y. pseudotuberculosis elaborate the pH6 antigen (Psa), which mediates bacterial attachment to alveolar cells of the lung. Y. enterocolitica, instead, assembles the homologous fimbriae Myf of unknown function. Here, we discovered that Myf, like Psa, specifically recognizes ß1-3- or ß1-4-linked galactose in glycosphingolipids, but completely lacks affinity for phosphatidylcholine, the main receptor for Psa in alveolar cells. The crystal structure of a subunit of Psa (PsaA) complexed with choline together with mutagenesis experiments revealed that PsaA has four phosphatidylcholine binding pockets that enable super-high-avidity binding of Psa-fibres to cell membranes. The pockets are arranged as six tyrosine residues, which are all missing in the MyfA subunit of Myf. Conversely, the crystal structure of the MyfA-galactose complex revealed that the galactose-binding site is more extended in MyfA, enabling tighter binding to lactosyl moieties. Our results suggest that during evolution, Psa has acquired a tyrosine-rich surface that enables it to bind to phosphatidylcholine and mediate adhesion of Y. pestis/pseudotuberculosis to alveolar cells, whereas Myf has specialized as a carbohydrate-binding adhesin, facilitating the attachment of Y. enterocolitica to intestinal cells.

Glycosphingolipids of human embryonic stem cells.

The application of human stem cell technology offers theoretically a great potential to treat various human diseases. However, to achieve this goal a large number of scientific issues remain to be solved. Cell surface carbohydrate antigens are involved in a number of biomedical phenomena that are important in clinical applications of stem cells, such as cell differentiation and immune reactivity. Due to their cell surface localization, carbohydrate epitopes are ideally suited for characterization of human pluripotent stem cells. Amongst the most commonly used markers to identify human pluripotent stem cells are the globo-series glycosphingolipids SSEA-3 and SSEA-4. However, our knowledge regarding human pluripotent stem cell glycosphingolipid expression was until recently mainly based on immunological assays of intact cells due to the very limited amounts of cell material available. In recent years the knowledge regarding glycosphingolipids in human embryonic stem cells has been extended by biochemical studies, which is the focus of this review. In addition, the distribution of the human pluripotent stem cell glycosphingolipids in human tissues, and glycosphingolipid changes during human stem cell differentiation, are discussed.

Biochemical and structural characterization of the novel sialic acid-binding site of Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin LT-IIb.

The structurally related AB5-type heat-labile enterotoxins of Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae are classified into two major types. The type I group includes cholera toxin (CT) and E. coli LT-I, whereas the type II subfamily comprises LT-IIa, LT-IIb and LT-IIc. The carbohydrate-binding specificities of LT-IIa, LT-IIb and LT-IIc are distinctive from those of cholera toxin and E. coli LT-I. Whereas CT and LT-I bind primarily to the GM1 ganglioside, LT-IIa binds to gangliosides GD1a, GD1b and GM1, LT-IIb binds to the GD1a and GT1b gangliosides, and LT-IIc binds to GM1, GM2, GM3 and GD1a. These previous studies of the binding properties of type II B-subunits have been focused on ganglio core chain gangliosides. To further define the carbohydrate binding specificity of LT-IIb B-subunits, we have investigated its binding to a collection of gangliosides and non-acid glycosphingolipids with different core chains. A high-affinity binding of LT-IIb B-subunits to gangliosides with a neolacto core chain, such as Neu5Gcα3- and Neu5Acα3-neolactohexaosylceramide, and Neu5Gcα3- and Neu5Acα3-neolactooctaosylceramide was detected. An LT-IIb-binding ganglioside was isolated from human small intestine and characterized as Neu5Acα3-neolactohexaosylceramide. The crystal structure of the B-subunit of LT-IIb with the pentasaccharide moiety of Neu5Acα3-neolactotetraosylceramide (Neu5Ac-nLT: Neu5Acα3Galß4GlcNAcß3Galß4Glc) was determined providing the first information for a sialic-binding site in this subfamily, with clear differences from that of CT and LT-I.

Identification of the Molecular and Genetic Basis of PX2, a Glycosphingolipid Blood Group Antigen Lacking on Globoside-deficient Erythrocytes.

The x2 glycosphingolipid is expressed on erythrocytes from individuals of all common blood group phenotypes and elevated on cells of the rare P/P1/P(k)-negative p blood group phenotype. Globoside or P antigen is synthesized by UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine:globotriaosyl-ceramide 3-ß-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase encoded by B3GALNT1. It is the most abundant non-acid glycosphingolipid on erythrocytes and displays the same terminal disaccharide, GalNAcß3Gal, as x2. We encountered a patient with mutations in B3GALNT1 causing the rare P-deficient P1 (k) phenotype and whose pretransfusion plasma was unexpectedly incompatible with p erythrocytes. The same phenomenon was also noted in seven other unrelated P-deficient individuals. Thin-layer chromatography, mass spectrometry, and flow cytometry were used to show that the naturally occurring antibodies made by p individuals recognize x2 and sialylated forms of x2, whereas x2 is lacking on P-deficient erythrocytes. Overexpression of B3GALNT1 resulted in synthesis of both P and x2. Knockdown experiments with siRNA against B3GALNT1 diminished x2 levels. We conclude that x2 fulfills blood group criteria and is synthesized by UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine: globotriaosylceramide 3-ß-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase. Based on this linkage, we proposed that x2 joins P in the GLOB blood group system (ISBT 028) and is renamed PX2 (GLOB2). Thus, in the absence of a functional P synthase, neither P nor PX2 are formed. As a consequence, naturally occurring anti-P and anti-PX2 can be made. Until the clinical significance of anti-PX2 is known, we also recommend that rare P1 (k) or P2 (k) erythrocyte units are preferentially selected for transfusion to P(k) patients because p erythrocytes may pose a risk for hemolytic transfusion reactions due to their elevated PX2 levels.

Sialyl-lactotetra, a novel cell surface marker of undifferentiated human pluripotent stem cells.

Cell surface glycoconjugates are used as markers for undifferentiated pluripotent stem cells. Here, antibody binding and mass spectrometry characterization of acid glycosphingolipids isolated from a large number (1 × 10(9) cells) of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines allowed identification of several novel acid glycosphingolipids, like the gangliosides sialyl-lactotetraosylceramide and sialyl-globotetraosylceramide, and the sulfated glycosphingolipids sulfatide, sulf-lactosylceramide, and sulf-globopentaosylceramide. A high cell surface expression of sialyl-lactotetra on hESC and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) was demonstrated by flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy, whereas sulfated glycosphingolipids were only found in intracellular compartments. Immunohistochemistry showed distinct cell surface anti-sialyl-lactotetra staining on all seven hESC lines and three hiPSC lines analyzed, whereas no staining of hESC-derived hepatocyte-like or cardiomyocyte-like cells was obtained. Upon differentiation of hiPSC into hepatocyte-like cells, the sialyl-lactotetra epitope was rapidly down-regulated and not detectable after 14 days. These findings identify sialyl-lactotetra as a promising marker of undifferentiated human pluripotent stem cells.

Forssman expression on human erythrocytes: biochemical and genetic evidence of a new histo-blood group system.

In analogy with histo-blood group A antigen, Forssman (Fs) antigen terminates with α3-N-acetylgalactosamine and can be used by pathogens as a host receptor in many mammals. However, primates including humans lack Fs synthase activity and have naturally occurring Fs antibodies in plasma. We investigated individuals with the enigmatic ABO subgroup A(pae) and found them to be homozygous for common O alleles. Their erythrocytes had no A antigens but instead expressed Fs glycolipids. The unexpected Fs antigen was confirmed in structural, serologic, and flow-cytometric studies. The Fs synthase gene, GBGT1, in A(pae) individuals encoded an arginine to glutamine change at residue 296. Gln296 is present in lower mammals, whereas Arg296 was found in 6 other primates, > 250 blood donors and A(pae) family relatives without the A(pae) phenotype. Transfection experiments and molecular modeling showed that Agr296Gln reactivates the human Fs synthase. Uropathogenic E coli containing prsG-adhesin-encoding plasmids agglutinated A(pae) but not group O cells, suggesting biologic implications. Predictive tests for intravascular hemolysis with crossmatch-incompatible sera indicated complement-mediated destruction of Fs-positive erythrocytes. Taken together, we provide the first conclusive description of Fs expression in normal human hematopoietic tissue and the basis of a new histo-blood group system in man, FORS.