A tragic loss of a couple of newborns provided crucial insights into a rare group of blood types that were first identified in humans 40 years ago.
New research could prevent tragedies like these by unravelling the molecular identification of the relatively recent blood type, the Er system.
“This research shows that the simple red blood cells can still be surprising us, despite all of the research done to date.” “Ash Toye is a University of Bristol cell biologist.
Blood typing is the measurement of the presence or absence a combination of proteins and sugars on our red blood cell’s surfaces. These cell-surface antibodies can be used for different purposes but the body generally uses them to identify harmful invaders.
Due to their primary role in matching blood transfusions, we are most familiar with ABO and the rhesus factors. However, there are other options. Many different blood groupsIt is based on a variety of cell-surface antibodies and their variants.
Although most of the major ones were found in the early 20th Century, one late-comer to this collection, the “Red” species, was not. Only in 1982 did Er make it onto our radar, and he was the first to create the foundation for a 44th group. Six years later, Er became Er.bIdentified. To indicate the absence of Er, Er3 was coded.You can find more information atErb.
Although it has been obvious for many decades that these antigens are present in blood cells, little is known about their clinical effects.
If a blood cells carries an antigen our bodies has not yet classified, our immune system activates and sends out antibodies to flag the suspect-antigen-bearing cells for destruction. Sometimes, a mismatch in the blood type of an unborn baby with their mother can lead to problems. If the mother’s immune system becomes sensitive to foreign antigens, this could cause issues. The placenta can allow the antibodies to pass through, leading to problems. Hemolytic diseaseThe unborn baby.
There are several ways to prevent or treat hemolytic diseases in newborns, including injections for pregnant women and blood transfusions.
Sadly, for one of the cases mentioned in the study, a blood transfusion following a cesarean section delivery failed to save the child’s life, suggesting there was something doctors – and researchers – were missing.
“We work with rare cases,” Nicole Thornton, serologist at the UK’s National Health Service Blood and Transplant Service (NHSBT), said. Telled Wired. “It begins with a patient who has a problem we are trying to solve.”
These rare antibodies have been found in hints over the years but our knowledge of them has remained elusive.
Thornton, along with colleagues led by Vanja Karamatic crew, NHSBT serologist, analysed blood samples from 13 patients with suspected antigens. The five known Er variants were identified by them.You can find more information at, Erb, Er3, and two additional ones Er4 & Er5.
Crew and his team sequenced the genetic codes of patients to identify the gene responsible for cell surface proteins. Surprisingly, it was a gene that medical science already knew: PIEZO1.
“Piezo protein are mechanosensory proteins used by the red cells to sense when it is being squeezed.” explains Toye.
This gene has been associated with many diseases. Mice without the gene will not survive. die before birthThose who have the gene deleted from their red blood cells only end up with Overhydrated and fragile blood cell cells.
Crew and their team confirmed their findings by deleting PIEZO1 from erythroblast cell lines, a precursor of red blood cells, as well as testing for antigens. PIEZO1 was required in order for the Er antigens to be added to cells’ surfaces.
The researchers believe this variant could confer some form of advantage, considering the high prevalence of Er5 in African populations. malaria, like some Other rare blood types are also found in the area.
“The protein is only present in a few hundred copies within the membrane of each cell.” explains Toye. “This study highlights the potential for antigenicity even of very lowly expressed proteins, and their relevance to transfusion medicine.”
Their research was published in Blood.
