Glycosphingolipid expression in spontaneously aborted fetuses and placenta from blood group p women. Evidence for placenta being the primary target for anti-Tja-antibodies

Abstract

A 12-week-old fetus and one 17-week-old fetus + placenta were obtained after spontaneous abortions from two women of blood group p. The 17-week-old fetus was dissected into intestine, liver, brain and residual tissue. Nonacid glycosphingolipid fractions were prepared from the tissues. Glycolipid characterization was carried out using thin layer chromatography immunostained with monoclonal antibodies and bacteria and by 1H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. In the placental fraction substantial amounts of globotetraosylceramide (P-antigen) and globotriaosylceramide (Pk-antigen) were identified. In contrast, the fetuses contained only trace amounts of these structures, as revealed by immunostaining. These results indicate that the primary target for the antibodies of the anti-Tja serum is the placenta tissue, resulting in termination of the pregnancy.

Identification of a novel A4GALT exon reveals the genetic basis of the P1/P2 histo-blood groups

“…The anti-P k and anti-P may cause acute intravascular hemolytic transfusion reactions 8 and recurrent spontaneous abortions due to damage of the placenta. 9 Anti-P1 is sometimes detectable in individuals with the P1-deficient P 2 phenotype, but typically has a lower temperature optimum. It is therefore considered a clinically insignificant although commonly found antibody specificity against red blood cells (RBCs).…”

Additional molecular bases of the clinically important p blood group phenotype

“…Expression of globo‐series GSLs is known to be differentially regulated during embryogenesis, but only trace amounts of P and P k antigens have been detected in 12‐ and 17‐week fetuses. Instead, the placenta has been shown to contains high amounts of these antigens 8 and it is therefore probable that antibodies targeted against the placenta cause the spontaneous abortions.…”

P1PK, Globoside, and FORS Blood Group Systems, Plus Some Other Related Blood Groups

“…IgG3 antibodies from the serum of one of the p mothers bound strongly to placental glycolipids, but not to glycolipid fractions from the fetus [195] . IgG3 antibodies from the serum of one of the p mothers bound strongly to placental glycolipids, but not to glycolipid fractions from the fetus [195] .…”