Abstract

Polyagglutinable erythrocytes expressing the rare human blood group phenotype Tn were tested for expression of both Tn (GalNAc alpha 1----O-Ser/Thr) and sialosyl-Tn (NeuAc alpha 2----6GalNAc alpha 1----O-Ser/Thr) antigens by agglutination with a panel of well-characterized monoclonal antibodies specifically directed to Tn and sialosyl-Tn antigens, respectively. Tn erythrocytes from 4 patients were strongly agglutinated by both sialosyl-Tn and Tn-specific monoclonal antibodies, indicating coexpression of sialosyl-Tn and Tn antigens on the cell membrane surface of Tn polyagglutinable erythrocytes. Human polyclonal anti-Tn antisera were found to express weak and variable anti-sialosyl-Tn antibodies in conjunction with the anti-Tn antibodies. The Tn phenotype thus involves not only the classically known Tn antigens but also sialosyl-Tn antigens. However, the human anti-Tn antibodies may be directed mainly toward the Tn antigen (GalNAc alpha 1----O-Ser/Thr).

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