Altered Expression of Epithelial Cell Surface Glycoconjugates and Intermediate Filaments at the Margins of Mucosal Wounds

Abstract

Alterations in cell to cell adhesion are necessary to enable the type of cell movements that are associated with epithelial wound healing and malignant invasion. Several studies of transformed cells have related epithelial cell movement to changes in the cell surface expression of the carbohydrate structures represented by the ABO blood group antigens and, in particular, by Lewis antigens and their biosynthetic precursors. To study further the relationship between cell surface carbohydrates and keratinocyte cell movement, experimental wounds were created in human oral mucosa and examined by immunohistochemical methods for their expression of selected cytokeratins (K5, K16, K19), basement membrane components (laminin alpha5 and gamma2-chains, BP180, collagen IV and collagen VII), and blood group antigen precursor structures Le(x), sialosyl-Le(x), Le(y), H antigen, N-acetyllactosamine, and sialosyl-T antigen. The changes induced by wounding in the expression of collagen IV, laminin gamma2-chain (laminin-5), and laminin alpha5-chain were similar to those found in skin wounds and served to define the region of epithelial movement. This region was found to show a marked increase in staining for both Lewis antigen Y (Le(y)) and H blood group antigen, and decreased staining of Le(x), thus indicating an upregulation in wounded epithelium of the fucosyltransferases responsible for the synthesis of the H antigen. The changes in carbohydrate expression extended beyond the wound margin into the nonwounded epithelium, a pattern of expression similar to K16, which was also strongly upregulated in both the outgrowth and the adjacent nonwounded epithelium. These findings provide further support for an influence of such carbohydrate structures on the migratory behavior of epithelial cells.

Aberrant Expression of Histo-blood Group A Type 3 Antigens in Vascular Endothelial Cells in Inflammatory Sites

“…In contrast to our results, decreased expression of A antigens concomitant with increase of H and Le y antigens expression was observed in migrating epithelial cells in mucosal wounds (Dabelsteen et al 1998). Alterations of cytokines and growth factors in diseased and wounded tissues may induce these changes.…”

Low concentration fluoride stimulates cell motility of epithelial cells in vitro

“…Human gingival epithelial cell expresses several laminin-binding integrin receptors (15)(16)(17)20). During the healing of mucosal wounds in vivo, oral keratinocytes first secrete laminin-5 into their extracellular matrix, and start to deposit matrix-bound laminin α5 chain only after they have stopped migrating (3,12). Less data are presently available on the expression and functions of laminin in cultured 4 NaF increased fibronectin and laminin expression in epithelial cells.…”

Ultraviolet irradiation modulates ABO blood group antigens in human skin in vivo: Possible implication in skin aging

“…UV-induced regulation of protein glycosylation can be different depending on the type of glycosylation [6], rather than a common phenomenon. In mucosal wound healing processes, Lewis y and H antigens were upregulated [7], and Lewis y -6/H-5-2 glycoconjugate (Le y /H) induced angiogenesis in rat cornea [8]. In addition, alteration of ABH antigens can result in activity changes of glycoproteins, including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), FUT, von Willebrand factor (vWF), Factor VIII, and alkaline phosphatase [2].…”