Cytochemical characterization of sulfo- and sialoglycoconjugates of human laryngeal glandular cells.

Abstract

The composition and distribution of sulfo- and sialoglycoconjugates in human laryngeal glands have been investigated at light and electron microscopic levels by use of peroxidase-, digoxigenin-, and colloidal gold-conjugated lectins in combination with several chemical and enzymatic deglycosylation procedures. The present study reveals a variety of terminal oligosaccharide sequences in serous and mucous glands. Serous cells contained glycoconjugates with terminal Neu5Ac (alpha 2-3) Gal (beta 1-4) GlcNAc, Neu5Ac (alpha 2-6) Gal/GalNAc, Neu5Ac (alpha 2-3/6) Gal (beta 1-3 GalNAc, GlcNAc, and Gal (beta 1-4) GlcNAc sequences. Scarce SO4Gal(beta 1-3)GalNAc terminal oligosaccharide chans were detected. Serous cells show wide morphological variability of secretory granules (electron lucent, electron dense, and bizonal) with different lectin affinities. Glycoconjugates in human laryngeal mucous glands contained a variety of terminal oligosaccharide sequences including SO4Gal(beta 1-4)GlcNAc, SO4Gal(beta 1-3) GalNAc, SO4GalNAc, and Neu5Ac(alpha 2-3)GalNAc.