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Human blood group systems



 
 
The International Society of Blood Transfusion
International Society of Blood Transfusion

The International Society of Blood Transfusion , also known as La Soci?t? Internationale de Transfusion Sanguine , is a scientific society, founded in 1935, which aims to promote the study of blood transfusion, and to spread the know-how about the manner in which blood transfusion medicine and science best can serve the patient's interests....
 (ISBT) currently recognises 30 major blood group
Blood type

A blood type is a classification of blood based on the presence or absence of Inheritance antigenic substances on the surface of red blood cells ....
 systems (including the ABO and Rh systems). Thus, in addition to the ABO antigens and Rhesus antigens, many other antigen
Antigen

An antigen is a substance that prompts the generation of antibodies and can cause an immune response. The word originated from the notion that they can stimulate antibody generation....
s are expressed on the red blood cell
Red blood cell

Red blood cells are the most common type of blood cell and the vertebrate body's principal means of delivering oxygen to the body tissues via the blood....
 surface membrane. For example, an individual can be AB RhD positive, and at the same time M and N positive (MNS system
MNS antigen system

The MNS antigen system is a Human blood group systems based upon genes on chromosome 4. There are over 40 antigens in the system, but the five most important are called M, N, S, s, and U....
), K positive (Kell system
Kell antigen system

The Kell antigen system is a group of antigens on the human red blood cell surface which are important determinants of blood type and are targets for autoimmune disease or alloimmunity diseases which destroy red blood cells....
), and Lea or Leb positive (Lewis system
Lewis antigen system

The Lewis antigen system is a Human blood group systems based upon genes on chromosome 19 q13.3, and 19p13.3 , which both have fucosyltransferase activity....
). Many of the blood group systems were named after the patients in whom the corresponding antibodies
Antibody

Antibodies are gamma globulin proteins that are found in blood or other bodily fluids of vertebrates, and are used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects, such as bacterium and viruses....
 were initially encountered.

The ISBT definition of a blood group system is where one or more antigen
Antigen

An antigen is a substance that prompts the generation of antibodies and can cause an immune response. The word originated from the notion that they can stimulate antibody generation....
s are "controlled at a single gene locus
Locus (genetics)

In the fields of genetics and evolutionary computation, a locus is a fixed position on a chromosome such as the position of a genetic marker that may be occupied by one or more genes....
 or by two or more very closely linked homologous
Homology (biology)

In evolutionary biology, homology refers to any similarity between characteristics that is due to their common descent. The word homologous derives from the ancient Greek ??????e??, 'to agree'....
 genes with little or no observable recombination
Recombination

Recombination may refer to:* Genetic recombination, the process by which genetic material is broken and joined to other genetic material* Carrier generation and recombination, processes by which mobile electrons and electron holes are created and eliminated...
 between them".

d is composed of cells suspended in a liquid.






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The International Society of Blood Transfusion
International Society of Blood Transfusion

The International Society of Blood Transfusion , also known as La Soci?t? Internationale de Transfusion Sanguine , is a scientific society, founded in 1935, which aims to promote the study of blood transfusion, and to spread the know-how about the manner in which blood transfusion medicine and science best can serve the patient's interests....
 (ISBT) currently recognises 30 major blood group
Blood type

A blood type is a classification of blood based on the presence or absence of Inheritance antigenic substances on the surface of red blood cells ....
 systems (including the ABO and Rh systems). Thus, in addition to the ABO antigens and Rhesus antigens, many other antigen
Antigen

An antigen is a substance that prompts the generation of antibodies and can cause an immune response. The word originated from the notion that they can stimulate antibody generation....
s are expressed on the red blood cell
Red blood cell

Red blood cells are the most common type of blood cell and the vertebrate body's principal means of delivering oxygen to the body tissues via the blood....
 surface membrane. For example, an individual can be AB RhD positive, and at the same time M and N positive (MNS system
MNS antigen system

The MNS antigen system is a Human blood group systems based upon genes on chromosome 4. There are over 40 antigens in the system, but the five most important are called M, N, S, s, and U....
), K positive (Kell system
Kell antigen system

The Kell antigen system is a group of antigens on the human red blood cell surface which are important determinants of blood type and are targets for autoimmune disease or alloimmunity diseases which destroy red blood cells....
), and Lea or Leb positive (Lewis system
Lewis antigen system

The Lewis antigen system is a Human blood group systems based upon genes on chromosome 19 q13.3, and 19p13.3 , which both have fucosyltransferase activity....
). Many of the blood group systems were named after the patients in whom the corresponding antibodies
Antibody

Antibodies are gamma globulin proteins that are found in blood or other bodily fluids of vertebrates, and are used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects, such as bacterium and viruses....
 were initially encountered.

The ISBT definition of a blood group system is where one or more antigen
Antigen

An antigen is a substance that prompts the generation of antibodies and can cause an immune response. The word originated from the notion that they can stimulate antibody generation....
s are "controlled at a single gene locus
Locus (genetics)

In the fields of genetics and evolutionary computation, a locus is a fixed position on a chromosome such as the position of a genetic marker that may be occupied by one or more genes....
 or by two or more very closely linked homologous
Homology (biology)

In evolutionary biology, homology refers to any similarity between characteristics that is due to their common descent. The word homologous derives from the ancient Greek ??????e??, 'to agree'....
 genes with little or no observable recombination
Recombination

Recombination may refer to:* Genetic recombination, the process by which genetic material is broken and joined to other genetic material* Carrier generation and recombination, processes by which mobile electrons and electron holes are created and eliminated...
 between them".

Blood grouping procedure

Blood is composed of cells suspended in a liquid. The liquid portion is the plasma, from which therapeutic fractions and derivatives are made.

Suspended in the plasma are three types of cells:
  • Red cells carry oxygen
  • White cells fight infection
  • Platelets stop bleeding in injuries


The most common type of grouping is the ABO grouping. Red Blood Cells have a protein coat on their surface which distinguishes them. According to this blood is divided into four groups:

  • A (A oligosaccharide is present)
  • B (B oligosaccharide is present)
  • AB (A and B oligosaccharides are present)
  • O (neither A nor B, only their precursor H oligisaccharide present)


There are subtypes under this grouping (listed as A1, A2, A1B or A2B…) some of which are quite rare. Apart from this there is a protein which plays an important part in the grouping of blood. This is called the Rh factor. If this is present, the particular blood type is called positive. If it is absent, it is called negative. Thus we have the following broad categories:

  • A1 Negative (A1 -ve)
  • A1 Positive (A1 +ve)
  • A1B Negative (A1B -ve)
  • A1B Positive (A1B +ve)
  • A2 Negative (A2 -ve)
  • A2 Positive (A2 +ve)
  • A2B Negative (A2B -ve)
  • A2B Positive (A2B +ve)
  • B Negative (B -ve)
  • B Positive (B +ve)
  • O Negative (O -ve)
  • O Positive (O +ve)

Rare blood types

A rare blood type is any blood type that is difficult to find. A blood type is classified as rare when more than 200 donors have to be screened to find one compatible donor with blood of that type. In the "ABO" system, all Blood belongs to one of four major group: A, B, AB, or O. But there are more than two hundred minor blood groups that can complicate Blood transfusions. These are known as rare blood Types. About one person in 1,000 will inherit a rare blood type. Whereas common blood types are expressed in a letter or two, with maybe a plus or a minus, a fewer number of people express their blood type in an extensive series of letters in addition to their 'ABO' type designation. For example, AB +ve, O -ve, and A1 -ve are rare types)

Blood group systems

ISBT
International Society of Blood Transfusion

The International Society of Blood Transfusion , also known as La Soci?t? Internationale de Transfusion Sanguine , is a scientific society, founded in 1935, which aims to promote the study of blood transfusion, and to spread the know-how about the manner in which blood transfusion medicine and science best can serve the patient's interests....
 N°
Common name abbreviation Epitope
Epitope

An epitope, also known as antigenic determinant, is the part of a macromolecule that is recognized by the immune system, specifically by antibody, B cells, or T cells....
 or carrier, notes
Locus
001 ABO
ABO blood group system

The ABO blood group system is the most important blood type system in human blood transfusion. The associated anti-A antibodies and anti-B antibodies are usually IgM antibodies, which are usually produced in the first years of life by sensitization to environmental substances such as food, bacteria and viruses....
ABOCarbohydrate (N-Acetylgalactosamine
N-Acetylgalactosamine

N-Acetylgalactosamine is a monosaccharide derivative of galactose....
, galactose
Galactose

Galactose is a type of Carbohydrate which is less sweetness than glucose. It is considered a nutritive sweetener because it has food energy.Galactan is a polymer of the sugar galactose....
). A, B and H antigens mainly elicit IgM
IGM

IGM might be an acronym or abbreviation for:* The polymeric Antibody, Immunoglobulin M* Grandmaster , a chess ranking* intergalactic medium...
 antibody reactions, although anti-H is very rare, see the Hh antigen system
Hh antigen system

hh is a rare blood group also called Bombay Blood group. Individuals with the rare Bombay phenotype do not express H antigen . As a result, they cannot make A antigen or B antigen on their red blood cells, whatever alleles they may have of the A and B blood-group genes, because A antigen and B antigen are made from H antigen;...
 (Bombay phenotype, ISBT #18).
9
002 MNS
MNS antigen system

The MNS antigen system is a Human blood group systems based upon genes on chromosome 4. There are over 40 antigens in the system, but the five most important are called M, N, S, s, and U....
MNSGPA / GPB (glycophorin
Glycophorin

A Glycophorin is a sialoglycoprotein of the membrane of a red blood cell. It is a membrane-spanning protein and carries sugar molecules.A major example is Glycophorin C....
s A and B). Main antigens M, N, S, s.
4
003 P
P antigen system

P antigen system is a Human blood group systems based upon genes on chromosome 22....
P1Glycolipid. 22
004 Rhesus
Rhesus blood group system

The term Rhesus blood group system refers to the 5 main Rhesus antigens as well as the many other less frequent Rhesus antigens. The terms Rhesus factor and Rh factor are equivalent and refer to the Rh D antigen only....
RHProtein. C, c, D, E, e antigens (there is no "d" antigen; lowercase "d" indicates the absence of D). 1
005 Lutheran
Lutheran antigen system

Lutheran antigen system is a Human blood group systems based upon genes on chromosome 19.This system is a single locus system, with antigens Lua and Lub....
LUProtein (member of the immunoglobulin superfamily
Immunoglobulin superfamily

The immunoglobulin superfamily is a large group of cell surface and soluble proteins that are involved in the recognition, binding, or cell adhesion processes of Cell ....
). Set of 21 antigens.
19
006 Kell
Kell antigen system

The Kell antigen system is a group of antigens on the human red blood cell surface which are important determinants of blood type and are targets for autoimmune disease or alloimmunity diseases which destroy red blood cells....
KELGlycoprotein. K1 can cause hemolytic disease of the newborn (anti-Kell)
Hemolytic disease of the newborn (anti-Kell)

Hemolytic disease of the newborn is the second most common cause of severe hemolytic diseases of newborns after Rh disease. Anti-Kell1 is becoming relatively more important as prevention of Rh disease is also becoming more effective....
, which can be severe.
7
007 Lewis
Lewis antigen system

The Lewis antigen system is a Human blood group systems based upon genes on chromosome 19 q13.3, and 19p13.3 , which both have fucosyltransferase activity....
LE Carbohydrate (fucose
Fucose

Fucose is a hexose deoxy sugar with the chemical formula C6H12O5. It is found on N-linked glycans on the mammalian, insect and plant cell surface, and is the fundamental sub-unit of the fucoidan polysaccharide....
 residue). Main antigens Lea and Leb - associated with tissue ABH antigen secretion.
19
008 Duffy
Duffy antigen

The Duffy antigen is a protein located on the surface of red blood cells and is named after the patient in which it was discovered. In humans, this protein is encoded by the DARC gene....
FYProtein (chemokine receptor
Chemokine receptor

Chemokine receptors are cytokine receptors found on the surface of certain cells, which interact with a type of cytokine called a chemokine. There have been 19 distinct chemokine receptors described in mammals....
). Main antigens Fya and Fyb. Individuals lacking Duffy antigens altogether are immune to malaria
Malaria

Malaria is a Vector -borne infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites. It is widespread in Tropics and subtropical regions, including parts of the Americas, Asia, and Africa....
 caused by Plasmodium vivax
Plasmodium vivax

Plasmodium vivax is a protozoal parasite and a human pathogen. The most frequent and widely distributed cause of recurring malaria, P. vivax is one of four species of malarial parasite that commonly infect in humans....
 and Plasmodium knowlesi
Plasmodium knowlesi

File:Anophelesmosquito.pngPlasmodium knowlesi is a primate malaria parasite commonly found in Southeast Asia. It causes malaria in long-tailed macaques , but it may also infect humans, either naturally or artificially....
.
1
009 Kidd
Kidd antigen system

The Kidd antigen system is present on the membranes of red blood cells and the kidney and helps determine a person's blood type. The Jk antigen is found on a protein responsible for urea transport in the red blood cells and the kidney....
JKProtein (urea transporter). Main antigens Jka and Jkb. 18
010 Diego
Diego antigen system

The Diego Antigen System comprises 21 rare blood factors, any of which is carried on the Band 3, coded for by the gene SLC4A1 , located on human chromosome 17....
DIGlycoprotein (band 3
Band 3

Anion Exchanger 1 or Band 3 is a phylogenetically preserved transport protein responsible for mediating the electroneutral exchange of chloride for bicarbonate across a plasma membrane....
, AE 1, or anion exchange). Positive blood is found only among East Asia
East Asia

East Asia is a subregion of Asia that can be defined in either Geography or cultural terms. Geography and geopolitically, it covers about 12,000,000 km?, or about 28 percent of the Asian continent, about 15 percent bigger than the area of Europe, though some categorize Tibet, Xinjiang, and Mongolia as Central Asia....
ns and Native Americans
Indigenous peoples of the Americas

The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of the Americas, their descendants, and many ethnic groups who identify with those peoples....
.
17
011 Yt or Cartwright
Yt antigen system

The Yt antigen system is present on the cell membrane of red blood cells and helps determine a person's blood type. The antigens are found on the protein acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme which helps break down acetylcholine....
YTProtein (AChE, acetylcholinesterase
Acetylcholinesterase

Acetylcholinesterase, also known as AChE, is an enzyme that degrades the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, producing choline and an acetate group....
).
7
012 XG
Xg antigen system

The XG antigen is a red blood cell surface antigen discovered in 1962.The PBDX gene that encodes the antigen is located on the short arm of the X chromosome....
XGGlycoprotein. X
X chromosome

The X chromosome is one of the two sex determination system chromosomes in many animal species, including mammals . It is a part of the XY sex-determination system and X0 sex-determination system....
013 Scianna SCGlycoprotein. 1
014 Dombrock DOGlycoprotein (fixed to cell membrane by GPI, or glycosyl-phosphatidyl-inositol). 12
015 Colton
Colton antigen system

The Colton antigen system is present on the membranes of red blood cells and in the tubules of the kidney and helps determine a person's blood type....
COAquaporin 1
Aquaporin 1

AQP1 is a widely expressed water channel, whose physiological function has been most thoroughly characterized in the kidney.It is found in the Basolateral membrane and apical plasma membranes of the Nephron#Renal tubule, the descending limb of the loop of Henle, and in the descending portion of the vasa recta....
. Main antigens Co(a) and Co(b).
7
016 Landsteiner-Wiener LWProtein (member of the immunoglobulin superfamily
Immunoglobulin superfamily

The immunoglobulin superfamily is a large group of cell surface and soluble proteins that are involved in the recognition, binding, or cell adhesion processes of Cell ....
).
19
017 Chido/Rodgers CH/RGC4A C4B (complement fractions). 6
018 Hh/Bombay
Hh antigen system

hh is a rare blood group also called Bombay Blood group. Individuals with the rare Bombay phenotype do not express H antigen . As a result, they cannot make A antigen or B antigen on their red blood cells, whatever alleles they may have of the A and B blood-group genes, because A antigen and B antigen are made from H antigen;...
H Carbohydrate (fucose
Fucose

Fucose is a hexose deoxy sugar with the chemical formula C6H12O5. It is found on N-linked glycans on the mammalian, insect and plant cell surface, and is the fundamental sub-unit of the fucoidan polysaccharide....
 residue).
19
019 Kx
XK (protein)

XK is a protein found on human red blood cells and other tissues which is responsible for the Kx antigen which helps determine a person's blood type....
XKGlycoprotein. X
X chromosome

The X chromosome is one of the two sex determination system chromosomes in many animal species, including mammals . It is a part of the XY sex-determination system and X0 sex-determination system....
020 Gerbich GEGPC / GPD (Glycophorin
Glycophorin

A Glycophorin is a sialoglycoprotein of the membrane of a red blood cell. It is a membrane-spanning protein and carries sugar molecules.A major example is Glycophorin C....
s C and D).
2
021 Cromer CROMGlycoprotein (DAF or CD55, regulates complement fractions C3 and C5, attached to the membrane by GPI). 1
022 Knops KNGlycoprotein (CR1 or CD35, immune complex receptor). 1
023 Indian INGlycoprotein (CD44
CD44

The CD44 protein is a cell -surface glycoprotein involved in cell-cell interactions, cell adhesion and migration. It is a receptor for hyaluronic acid and can also interact with other ligands, such as osteopontin, collagens, and matrix metalloproteinases ....
 adhesion function?).
11
024 Ok OKGlycoprotein (CD147). 19
025 Raph MER2 Transmembrane glycoprotein. 11
026 JMH JMHProtein (fixed to cell membrane by GPI). 6
027 Ii
Ii antigen system

Ii antigen system is a Human blood group systems based upon genes on chromosome 6....
I Branched (I) / unbranched (i) polysaccharide
Polysaccharide

Polysaccharides are relatively complex carbohydrates. They are polymers made up of many monosaccharides joined together by glycosidic bonds. They are therefore very large, often branched, macromolecules....
.
6
028 Globoside PGlycolipid
Glycolipid

Glycolipids are carbohydrate-attached lipids. Their role is to provide energy and also serve as genetic marker for Cell recognition.They occur where a carbohydrate chain is associated with phospholipids on the exoplasmic surface of the cell biological membrane....
.
3
029 GIL GILAquaporin 3
Aquaporin 3

Aquaporin 3 is found in the basolateral cell membrane of principal collecting duct cells and provide a pathway for water to exit these cells. In kidney, AQP3 gene expression is not regulated by vasopressin ....
.
9


External links

  • Updated August 2008.
  • NCBI Blood Group Antigen Gene Mutation Database.
  • The Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England.
  • , Behavioral Sciences Department, Palomar College.