Blood group H(O) antigen in normal, dysplastic and carcinomatous esophageal epithelium.

Variation of the binding Ulex europaeus agglutinin-I (Ulex-I), a lectin specific for blood group H(O) substance, was examined in normal, dysplastic and cancerous esophageal epithelium from 43 instances of carcinoma by means of the lectin- antilectin peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. The normal epithelium showed strong staining at the cell border, although the basal cells were entirely negative. In mild and moderate dysplasia, staining was negative, while in some cases of severe dysplasia positive staining was found in the basal cells. Most of the basal cells in carcinoma in situ revealed granular or diffuse positive staining in the cytoplasm. The results indicate that the loss of blood group H antigen occurs during carcinogenesis of the esophageal mucosa. Thus, Ulex-I may be a useful marker of cytoplasmic differentiation of the esophagus.