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The expression of Lewis a and Lewis b antigens reflects changes in fucosylation between normal and neoplastic cervical squamous epithelium
Author(s) -
Sanders D. S. A.,
Milne D. M.,
Kerr M. A.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
the journal of pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.964
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1096-9896
pISSN - 0022-3417
DOI - 10.1002/path.1711620106
Subject(s) - epithelium , fucosylation , antigen , biology , pathology , koilocyte , cervical intraepithelial neoplasia , immunology , cervical cancer , cancer , glycoprotein , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , fucose , genetics
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.