Distribution of blood group antigens in adult pancreas.

Numerous blood group antigens are present in different human tissues where they appear as immunological markers of certain structures. The Pr antigen is the only antigen present in the islet of Langerhans. The A, B, H and Lewis antigens are present in the centro acinar cells and the Pr and Lewis antigens are found on the membrane of the pancreatic ducts. A, B, H and Pk antigens are expressed in the capillaries. These kinds of studies could be important for the transplantation of the endocrine pancreas.