Changes of the expression of Lewis blood group antigens in glycoproteins of renal cancer tissues.

Abstract

Sialic acid and sialyl Lewis a/x are found on N-and O-glycans of many human malignant cells. Carbohydrate antigens can be used as tumor markers, and an increase of their levels in cancer cells is associated with tumor progression. The aim of this study was to assess the level of some Lewis blood group antigens on glycoproteins in tumor (cancer tissue), intermediate zone (adjacent to tumor tissue), and normal renal cortex/medulla (uninvolved by tumor). The study was performed on tissues taken from 30 patients. Relative amounts of sugar structures of proteins with molecular masses above 30 kDa were determined by ELISA-like test with biotinylated lectins: MAA (Maackia amurensis), SNA (Sambucus nigra), and monoclonal antibodies anti-sialyl Lewis a/x . . Higher expression of all examined structures was revealed in cancer tissues. Significant increases were observed for sialic acid linked α 2-3 in cancer tissues when compared to healthy ones and also among intermediate and healthy tissues. The sialic acid linked α 2-6 and sialyl Lewis x structures were significantly increased in cancerous cells when compared to normal and intermediate renal tissue. In case of sialyl Lewis a antigen, a significant difference was discovered between normal and intermediate tissue. Our results confirm that the examined Lewis antigens can be involved in tumor development. Their increase in cancer tissues can suggest their specific role in the process.

Reduced expression of E-cadherin and increased sialylation level in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

“…In our previous works we revealed similar, increasing tendencies of the expression of some specific sugar antigens, e.g. Lewis blood group antigens or MUC1 mucin (Borzym-Kluczyk & Radziejewska, 2013;Borzym-Kluczyk et al, 2015;Borzym-Kluczyk et al, 2012).…”

Glycosylation in Renal Cell Carcinoma: Mechanisms and Clinical Implications

“…Furthermore, sialic acid is a component of the oligosaccharide determinant cluster of the Lewis type of sialic acid, ST3Gal-III, ST3Gal-IV, and ST3Gal-VI catalyzes the synthesis of sialylated Lewis antigens [ 51 ]. Borzym-Kluczyk et al demonstrated that the expression of sialylated Lewis antigens is increased in the tissues of RCC patients, which predicts a poor prognosis and a predisposition for lymph node metastases [ 52 ]. In clinical trials, an increasing number of studies concentrating on sialylation have proven substantial effects on the treatment of cancers in recent years.…”