The expression of Lewis a and Lewis b antigens reflects changes in fucosylation between normal and neoplastic cervical squamous epithelium

Antibodies against the carbohydrate antigens Lewis a (Le a ) and Lewis b (Le b ) allow further investigation into the changes in fucosylation of the glycocalyx occurring during the normal and neoplastic development of cervical squamous epithelium. Le a and Le b are expressed on a broad zone of suprabasal cells in normal cervical squamous mucosa often independent of individual Lewis gene and secretor status. A proportion of Le a is expressed in sialylated form. In cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, the progressive dedifferentiation of the squamous mucosa is mirrored by loss of both Le a and Le b expression. In invasive squamous carcinomas, Le a and Le b expression is seen only on cells in areas of differentiation. The expression of Le a and Le b in normal and neoplastic cervical squamous epithelium resembles that of the Le x antigen described by us previously. The structural similarity betweenthese antigens is highlighted and evidence for a common functional role in maintaining the integrity of squamous mucosae is discussed.