Expression of the Asialo GM₁ Determinant on Murine Intestinal Epithelia

Murine intestinal epithelial cells were studied by flow cytometric analyses for the expression of lymphocyte-associated membrane antigens. Three lymphocyte antigens were found to be expressed at high density on most nonhematopoietic intestinal epithelial cells. These included major histocompatibility complex class II antigens, the T cell-associated CT carbohydrate determinant, and the asialo GM₁ (aGM₁) neutral glycolipid. Examination of aGM₁ determinant density on epithelial cells, estimated by fluorescence intensity, indicated that aGM₁ was expressed at levels equal to those present on lymphoid cells known to be aGM₁⁺. The potential role for lymphocyte antigenic determinants on nonhematopoietic cells of murine epithelia with respect to local regulation of intestinal lymphocytes is discussed.