Implication of glycolipids in lens fiber development.

Mammalian lens contains Lewis(x), sialyl-Lewis(x) and alpha-galactosyl epitopes in neolactoseries glycosphingolipids. The expression of these three epitopes is not observed in lens epithelial cells, but is immunohistochemically detected in the inner cortical fibers and the lens nucleus. In embryonic chick lens, sialyl-Lewis(x)-containing gangliosides were also detected in the transitional zone and elongating lens fibers. Thus, the Lewis(x), sialyl-Lewis(x) and alpha- galactosyl epitopes may be associated with the differentiation and maturation of lens epithelial cells to lens fibers.