Alterations of Lewis histo-blood group antigen expression in cancer cells Radosław Kaczmarek 1 1 - Zakład Immunochemii, Instytut Immunologii i Terapii Doświadczalnej PAN im. Ludwika Hirszfelda we Wrocławiu, Wydział Biotechnologii Uniwersytetu Wrocławskiego
Postepy Hig Med Dosw 2010; 64 87-99 ICID: 906528
Article type: Review article
IC™ Value: 2.40
Abstract provided by Publisher
Carcinogenesis in various tissues is accompanied by alterations in protein and lipid glycosylation, such as changes in the expressions of Lewis histo-blood group antigens. Neoplastic transformation is often followed by changes in expression of one or more of these oligosaccharides in a pattern that is typical for the tissue. These alterations correlate with changes in the expressions of specific glycosyltransferases. Overexpression of Lewis antigens in some types of cancer might be a significant prognostic factor. Upregulation of Lewisy, Lewisb, and other α1,2-fucosylated oligosaccharides is linked to an increased tendency to metastasis and resistance to treatment. For example, invasive breast cancer of poor prognosis reveals high expression levels of Lewisy and Lewisb. Lewisx is also overexpressed in breast cancer cells. Overexpression of Lewisa also occurs in precancerous states of stomach tissue. Upregulation of sialyl Lewisa correlates with the metastatic potential of colon and pancreatic malignancies and inversely with survival rate of patients. A similar relation was observed between sialyl Lewisx overexpression and malignancies of the lungs, prostate, urinary bladder, stomach, breast, kidney, and liver. Some of the Lewis antigens are ligands of specific receptors and adhesion molecules. For example, Lewisx is recognized by scavenger receptor C-type lectin (SRCL), which belongs to the group of innate immunity receptors. Sialyl Lewisa and sialyl Lewisx specifically interact with E- and P-selectins, which are key molecules in leukocyte rolling process. Ongoing research shows an increasing number of potential therapeutic applications related to the upregulation of Lewis antigens.
ICID 906528 PMID 20231766 - click here to show this article in PubMed
