ISSN:
1432-119X
Keywords:
Cornea Fucosyltransferase Human development Lewis antigens Skin
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract. During human development, type-1-precursor, sialyl-Lea, and Lex antigens were present in the periderm of skin and eye at week 6. The Lex antigen disappeared from cornea at 10 weeks and then from skin at 20 weeks. H-type-1, Lea, Leb, sialyl-Lea, H-type-2, sialyl-Lex, and Ley were found in cornea, conjunctiva, and periderm between 10 and 20 weeks. They disappear from the skin (at week 20) and progressively reappear in skin derivatives, especially in the epithelium of sweat glands. The secretory part of the sweat gland is type-1-precursor and H-type-1 positive while its excretory part is Lea, Leb, sialyl-Lea, and Ley positive. On the eye surface the disappearance of Lex at 10 weeks and of the H-type-1, sialyl-Lex, and Ley at week 35 starts in the central cornea in front of the lens. The corneal epithelium and the conjunctiva have similar antigens to those of excretory and secretory parts of the sweat gland, respectively. Invaginations and folding of the epidermis might preserve the embryonic staining. We propose that fucosylation patterns are associated with the embryonic origin and differentiation stage of tissue. The early and transient presence of Lex is associated with FUT4 or FUT9 activities, while the late appearance of Lewis antigens is related to other α3-fucosyltransferases.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s004180000172
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