Genetic intercorrelation between finger-ball patterns and blood groups.

BACKGROUND: In pig-to-primate transplantation, antibody-mediated hyperacute rejection is the consequence of binding of natural antibodies to Gal alpha(1,3)Gal on pig endothelium. The elimination of the Gal alpha(1,3)Gal antigen from pig cells should prevent hyperacute rejection. Using in vitro techniques, we have previously reported that using the alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase gene induces the preferential expression of H substance with a concomitant reduction in the expression of Gal alpha(1,3)Gal. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of expressing the alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase gene in vivo on Gal alpha(1,3)Gal. METHODS: Three alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase transgenic lines of mice were produced and characterized serologically and histologically. RESULTS: Immunohistological studies showed heavy staining for H substance in liver, spleen, kidney, and heart, with a reduction in staining for Gal alpha(1,3)Gal. In addition, there was a reduction in the binding of human anti-Gal alpha(1,3)Gal antibody to lymphocytes from alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase transgenic mice and a substantial decrease in complement-mediated cytolysis of alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase transgenic lymphocytes when compared with that obtained with normal mice. CONCLUSIONS: The findings have important implications, in that alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase transgenic pigs could be produced as a source for humans. Such pigs should have a reduced expression of Gal alpha(1,3)Gal.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

PubMed1997

Relationship between ABO blood group and levels of Gal alpha,3Galactose-reactive human immunoglobulin G.

BACKGROUND: The terminal Gal alpha1,3Galactose (alphaGal) determinant is present on all porcine glycoproteins and glycolipids, but is not expressed by human cells. Consequently human sera contain anti-alphaGal natural antibodies. The human blood group B antigen [Gal alpha1,3(Fuc1,2)Galactose] is differentiated from the alphaGal epitope by the presence of a fucosyl group. METHODS: To determine whether the expression of the B antigen has any effect on the level of alphaGal-reactive natural antibodies, equal numbers (n=12) of A, B, AB, and O serum samples were evaluated by ELISA and flow cytometry. RESULTS: A significant reduction in IgG alphaGal reactivity was observed with serum samples from B antigen-expressing donors (B, AB) relative to non-B antigen-expressing donors (A, O). CONCLUSIONS: These results are consistent with the possibility that anti-alphaGal antibodies in non-B antigen-expressing individuals include a subset that is reactive with the structurally related B antigen and that this subset is absent in B and AB individuals.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

PubMed1997

Histo-blood group A/B versus H status of human carcinoma cells as correlated with haptotactic cell motility: approach with A and B gene transfection.

In a search for the molecular basis of ABH status of tumors as correlated with malignancy, we studied various malignancy-related phenotypes of high H/Le(y)-expressing tumor cell lines in comparison with phenotypes of the same lines transfected with histo-blood group A or B genes. A and B gene transfectants, prepared independently from different H-active parental cells, showed A or B activity and abolition of H activity. All A and B gene transfectants, regardless of source, were characterized by significantly reduced Matrigel-dependent haptotactic motility. The level of haptotaxis of all transfectants was similar to that of parental cells in the presence of antibodies against human integrin subunits alpha3, alpha6, or beta1. These subunits showed high expression of A or B epitope in the A and B gene transfectants. Enhancement versus reduction of malignancy, associated with deletion versus induction of A/B epitopes, may be due in part to enhanced haptotaxis sustained by alpha3, alpha6, and beta1 integrin receptors, the activities of which are regulated by H or A/B glycosylation. These phenotypic changes provide a rationale for the deletion of A and B epitopes as one criterion defining human tumor malignancy.

ABO Blood-Group System↗