Bloog Group

Blood Groups
Blood groups are created by molecules present on the surface of red blood cells (and often on
other cells as well).
The ABO Blood Groups

The ABO blood groups were the first to be discovered (in 1900) and are the most important in
assuring safe blood transfusions.
The table shows the four ABO phenotypes ("blood groups") present in the human population and
the genotypes that give rise to them.
Blood Antigens Antibodies in

Genotypes
Group on RBCs Serum
A A Anti-B AA or AO
B B Anti-A BB or BO
AB A and B Neither AB
O Neither Anti-A and Anti-B OO
When red blood cells carrying one or both antigens are exposed to the corresponding antibodies,
they agglutinate; that is, clump together. People usually have antibodies against those red cell
antigens that they lack.
Human red blood cells before (left) and after (right) adding serum containing anti-A
antibodies. The agglutination reaction reveals the presence of the A antigen on the
surface of the cells.
The antigens in the ABO system are O-linked glycoproteins with their sugar residues exposed at
the cell surface. The terminal sugar determines whether the antigen is A or B.
The critical principle to be followed is that transfused blood must not contain red cells that the
recipient's antibodies can clump. Although theoretically it is possible to transfuse group O blood
into any recipient, the antibodies in the donated plasma can damage the recipient's red cells.
Thus, when possible, transfusions should be done with exactly-matched blood.
In 2007, Danish and French investigators reported the properties of two bacterial glycosidases
that specifically remove the sugars responsible for the A and B antigens. This discovery raises
the possibility of being able to treat A, B, or AB blood with these enzymes and thus convert the
blood to Group O, the "universal donor".
Why do we have antibodies against red cell antigens that we lack? Bacteria living in our
intestine, and probably some foods, express epitopes similar to those on A and B. We synthesize
antibodies against these if we do not have the corresponding epitopes; that is, if our immune
system sees them as "foreign" rather than "self".
The Rh System
Rh antigens are transmembrane proteins with loops exposed at the surface of red blood cells.
They appear to be used for the transport of carbon dioxide and/or ammonia across the plasma
membrane. They are named for the rhesus monkey in which they were first discovered.
There are a number of Rh antigens. Red cells that are "Rh positive" express the one designated
D. About 15% of the population have no RhD antigens and thus are "Rh negative".
The major importance of the Rh system for human health is to avoid the danger of RhD
incompatibility between mother and fetus.
During birth, there is often a leakage of the baby's red blood cells into the mother's circulation. If
the baby is Rh positive (having inherited the trait from its father) and the mother Rh-negative,
these red cells will cause her to develop antibodies against the RhD antigen. The antibodies,
usually of the IgG class, do not cause any problems for that child, but can cross the placenta and
attack the red cells of a subsequent Rh+ fetus. This destroys the red cells producing anemia and
jaundice. The disease, called erythroblastosis fetalis or hemolytic disease of the newborn,
may be so severe as to kill the fetus or even the newborn infant. It is an example of an antibody-
mediated cytotoxicity disorder.
Other examples of antibody-mediated cytotoxicity disorders.
Although certain other red cell antigens (in addition to Rh) sometimes cause problems for a
fetus, an ABO incompatibility does not. Why is an Rh incompatibility so dangerous when ABO
incompatibility is not?
It turns out that most anti-A or anti-B antibodies are of the IgM class and these do not cross the
placenta. In fact, an Rh−/type O mother carrying an Rh+/type A, B, or AB fetus is resistant to
sensitization to the Rh antigen. Presumably her anti-A and anti-B antibodies destroy any fetal
cells that enter her blood before they can elicit anti-Rh antibodies in her.
This phenomenon has led to an extremely effective preventive measure to avoid Rh sensitization.
Shortly after each birth of an Rh+ baby, the mother is given an injection of anti-Rh antibodies.
The preparation is called Rh immune globulin (RhIG) or Rhogam. These passively acquired
antibodies destroy any fetal cells that got into her circulation before they can elicit an active
immune response in her.
Rh immune globulin came into common use in the United States in 1968, and within a decade
the incidence of Rh hemolytic disease became very low.
Other blood groups

Several other blood group antigens have been identified in humans. Some examples: MN [Link],
Duffy, Lewis, Kell.
They, too, may sometimes cause
 transfusion reactions and even

 hemolytic disease of the newborn
in cases where there is no ABO or Rh incompatibility.
(The Duffy red cell antigen also serves as the receptor for entry by the malaria parasite
Plasmodium vivax.)

Bloog Group

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Bloog Group

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Bloog Group

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Blood Groups

The ABO Blood Groups

Blood Antigens Antibodies in

Other examples of antibody-mediated cytotoxicity disorders.

Other blood groups

They, too, may sometimes cause

 transfusion reactions and even

in cases where there is no ABO or Rh incompatibility.

You might also like