Sulphated glycoproteins in the pancreas.

Several reports have indicated the presence of abnormally high amounts of sulphate 
in the mucous glands of patients with cystic fibrosis. Bearing these 
facts in mind, we suspected that abnormal, over-sulphated, and strongly anionic, 
glycoproteins might be involved in the pathogenesis of CF. The present 
study was carried out to determine whether sulphated blood-group substances occur 
in normal pancreatic tissue. The distribution of sulphate over the exocrine 
part of pancreas does coincide with the distribution of blood-group substance 
previously observed by fluorescent microscopy. We therefore find it very likely 
that the sulphate and blood-group substance are associated with the same 
glycoprotein molecule. Since blood-group substance has been demonstrated in many secretions 
in man, and since high amounts of sulphate have been found 
in the mucous glands in CF, such a mechanism is possible 
in many locations and may thus offer an explanation for the 
multiorgan involvement in CF. 