Membrane glycoconjugates expressed on sheep airway epithelium.

In mammalian lung, selective airway inflammatory reactions have been associated with viral infections, transplant rejection, and autoimmune diseases. Although the molecular basis for this selective reactivity is unknown, the importance of carbohydrates in immunologic processes suggests a potential role for membrane glycoconjugates in tissue-specific inflammatory reactions. In the present work we examined a panel of 39 lectins for their pattern of reactivity in the peripheral airways of the sheep lung. The size of the panel facilitated a comprehensive description of the glycoconjugate localization on the airway epithelium. Four lectins (agglutinins for Helix aspersa, Psophocarpus tetragonolobus, Trichosanthes kirilowii, and Griffonia simplifolia II) revealed selective reactivity with the small airway epithelium. On lectin Western blotting, these four lectins demonstrated a common low molecular weight banding profile that was distinct from control lectins. The histochemical staining patterns and Western blotting profiles provided evidence for the selective expression of membrane glycoconjugates in the peripheral airways of the sheep lung.