Glycosphingolipids of human gliomas.

Histologically characterized human gliomas of various grades of malignancy obtained during surgery were extracted, and their glycolipids were isolated and partially identified. Among the gliomas analyzed, three types of glycolipid component distribution could be identified. The glycosphingolipid (GSL) type I pattern correlated closely with that of the most malignant gliomas (Grade IV). Its neutral GSLs consisted of glucosyl- and, as a major component, dihexosylceramide, in addition to globo- and neolactotetraosylceramide. Galactosylceramide and sulfatide were absent. The gangliosides of GSL type I were almost exclusively of the GLac family, aside from small amounts of neolacto-series-derived species. The neutral components of GSL type II were similar to those of GSL type I. The acidic compounds of GSL type II were gangliosides of the Gtri family and trace amounts of neolacto-series sialoglycolipids, in addition to GLac1 and GLac2. GSL type II contained no Gtet gangliosides and no sulfatide. The GSL type III pattern was that of the most benign gliomas, with all glycolipids present that are found in normal brain and, in addition, those of the GSL type II.