Tumor-related expression of α1,2fucosylated antigens on colorectal carcinoma cells and its suppression by cell-mediated priming using sugar acceptors for α1,2fucosyltransferase

Abstract

The accumulation of α1,2fucosylated antigens, such as Y (Fucα1,2Galβ1,4 [Fucα1,3]GlcNAcβ), Leb [Fucα1,2Galβ1,3-[Fucα1,4]GlcNAcβ), and H type 2 (Fucα1,2 Galβ1,4GlcNAcβ) occurs specifically within human colorectal tumor tissues and can be detected by an antifucosylated antigen antibody, such as the YB-2 antibody. In the present investigation, we found that the expression of these antigens bearing an α1,2-linked fucose correlated with the resistance of the tumor cells to anticancer treatments. Addition of an exogenous sugar acceptor for α1,2fucosyltransferase to the cell medium resulted in suppression of α1,2fucosylated antigen expression on the tumor cells and increased susceptibility to anticancer treatment. The increased susceptibility may be attributed to cancer cell-mediated priming by sugar acceptors for α1,2fucosyltransferase added to the medium.