3′-sulfated LewisA/C: An oncofetal epitope associated with metaplastic and oncogenic plasticity of the gastrointestinal foregut

Abstract

Metaplasia, dysplasia, and cancer arise from normal epithelia via a plastic cellular transformation, typically in the setting of chronic inflammation. Such transformations are the focus of numerous studies that strive to identify the changes in RNA/Protein expression that drive such plasticity along with the contributions from the mesenchyme and immune cells. However, despite being widely utilized clinically as biomarkers for such transitions, the role of glycosylation epitopes is understudied in this context. Here, we explore 3′-Sulfo-Lewis A/C, a clinically validated biomarker for high-risk metaplasia and cancer throughout the gastrointestinal foregut: esophagus, stomach, and pancreas. We discuss the clinical correlation of sulfomucin expression with metaplastic and oncogenic transformation, as well as its synthesis, intracellular and extracellular receptors and suggest potential roles for 3′-Sulfo-Lewis A/C in contributing to and maintaining these malignant cellular transformations.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Feb 14, 2023
Source ID
10.3389/fcell.2023.1089028

Entities

People

  • Jeffrey W Brown
  • Koushik K. Das

Organizations

  • American Gastroenterological Association
  • Doris Duke Charitable Foundation
  • National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
  • United States Department of Defense

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Forest Ecology
  • Immunology
  • Systems Analysis and Design