Lymphocyte surface modulation and glycosphingolipids.

Using the fluorescent antibody method, identical localization of ligand and glycosphingolipids was found in human peripheral blood B lymphocytes patched and capped with polyvalent anti-immunoglobulin. cAMP also showed the same pattern of localization. It is suggested that glycosphingolipids are hydrogen bonded to receptor-bearing membrane macromolecules and are borne with them into the ligand-induced patches and caps. Here the asymmetric carbon chains of the glycosphingolipids modify the local lipid environment, leading to activation of the adenyl cyclase in the membrane which produces the cAMP.