An Rh Gene Complex Producing Both CW and c Antigen

Abstract. Serological and family evidence is given for the existence of a rare Rh gene complex producing both C^W and c antigen.     

The Frequency of the Rh Antigen Cw in 2750 Oslo Blood Donors

The C^w antigen was found in 82 of 2750 Oslo blood donors, or 2.98 ± 90.32 per cent.
The C^w frequency in these persons is compared with the frequencies found in other European populations.  

Résumé

L'antigène C^w a été trouvé chez 82 parmi 2750 donneurs de sang à Oslo, c.-à-d. chez 2,98±0,32 pur cent.
La fréquence de C^w chez ces donneurs est comparée avec celles trouvées dans d'autres populations européennes.  

Zusammenfassung

82 von insgesamt 2750 Blutspendern der Stadt Oslo erwiesen sich als C^w.positiv. Die Häufigkeit von C^w positiven Individuen betrug somit 2,98±0,32 Prozent.
Die C^w.Häufigkeit in dieser Population wird mit derjenigen in andern europäischen Ländern verglichen.     

MAR, a Novel High-Incidence Rh Antigen Revealing the Existence of an Allelic Sub-System Including Cw (Rh8) and Cx (Rh9) with Exceptional Distribution in the Finnish Population

We present new genetic evidence obtained from population studies on Finns and from the studies on Finnish blood donors as well as their selected families using an antibody that defines a novel high-incidence Rh antigen MAR. Anti-MAR antibody shows an antithetical relationship to both anti-C^w and anti-C^x. The Rh antigens C^w (RH8) and, more strikingly, C^x (RH9) have each an exceptionally high frequency in Finns. Our studies on their genetic relationship indicate that the three antigens C^w, C^x and MAR behave as if being determined by alleles of the same Rh sub-system. Furthermore, we conclude that this sub-system manifests an inheritance pattern that is distinct from but analogous to that of the two well-known allelic sub-systems of C/c and E/e antigens.     

A Family with the Rare Red Cell Antigens Wra and 'Super' Sda

Abstract. A family is recorded in which the two rare antigens 'super' Sid, or 'super' Sd^a, and Wr^a are present. The linkage count between the two characters is six non-recombinants, for which the lod score at θ =0.00 is 1.806. This is tantalizingly suggestive of linkage, or possibly of control by one and the same complex locus, but does not reach a significant level.
There is also a hint in the family of a possible relationship between the enzyme GPT (glutamic-pyruvic transaminase) and the 'super' Sd^a condition.     

A Possible D(CW) (e) Gene Complex of the Rh System

Abstract. The discovery of a family with three members showing weak C^w antigen is described. In the proposita and her mother the 'depression' of C^w was very marked, while a half brother on the maternal side showed a strength of the antigen intermediate between that of the two and a normal C^w. In addition, a reduced strength of the e antigen was found in all three members, also in the two who had a presumably normal e gene on the other chromosome.     

An Erroneous Exclusion of Paternity in a Chinese Family Exhibiting the Rare MNSs Gene Complexes Mk and MsIII

Abstract. Because of an apparent exclusion of paternity of the type father M/child N, and of the father's insistent denial of this exclusion, a thorough investigation of the MNSs groups of a Chinese family was carried out. The 'exclusion' was proved false by the demonstration of M ^k in the persons involved. It is the first time that this rare gene comes to notice through disputed paternity, and this is the first example of M^k in Chinese. The family also had several members possessing Ms ^III, a gene complex which produces M, s, and the antigens characteristic of Cell Class III in the Miltenberger sub-system. Three sibs of the propo situs had the very rare genotype Ms ^III /M ^k . The medico-legal and serological aspects of the case adiscussed.     

Rh Haplotypes That Make e But Not hrB Usually Make VS

Background and objectives: The Rh phenotypes hr^B– and VS+ are both rare in Whites but more common in Blacks. The high-incidence antigen hr^B is present on most red cells that are e+. The presence of VS on red cells is associated with an aberrant expression of e, often called e^S. Materials and methods: Using conventional serologic methods, including a monoclonal anti-hr^B-like antibody, we studied 65 e+ samples that were apparently hr^B–. Results: Of the 65, we found that 59 (91%) were VS+. Recent findings have indicated that in VS+ persons a change from leucine to valine occurs at amino acid 245 of the RHCE-encoded polypeptide. While this residue is predicted to lie within the red cell membrane bilayer, the change presumably affects alanine 226 (that is present when e is expressed) in such a way that e^S is seen. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the change from e to e^S may result in nonexpression or marked depression of expression of hr^B that is, perhaps, an epitope of e. While the molecular basis of the hr^B– phenotype is not known, it is unlikely that the leucine-to-valine change at residue 245, resulting in the aberrant form of e, explains all hr^B– samples. First, hr^B– VS+ and hr^B– VS– samples must differ. Second, some hr^B– VS+ samples are C+, some are C–. Presumably diverse molecular bases are involved in hr^B– phenotypes.     

A New Rare Blood Group Antigen, Jea

Abstract. A new rare blood group antigen, Je^a, is described. The antigen is inherited as a dominant character independently of ABO, Rh, MNSs, Lutheran and secretor systems. No further example of the antigen was detected in over 1,000 cell samples, nor was another example of the antibody found in more than 100,000 sera from the Danish population.     

Rh immunization by the partial D antigen of category DVa

Reported here is the first example of a partial D antigen stimulating the production of anti-D: stimulation was of fetal origin. During her second pregnancy, anti-D developed in the serum of a D-negative mother who had received Rh immunoglobulin after the birth of her first D-positive child. Her second baby had moderate neonatal jaundice and was successfully treated by phototherapy. Subsequently the red cells of the father and of the first child were shown to carry a partial D antigen of category DVa type. Six available batches of Rh immunoglobulin reacted with DVa cells.     

Rh18 and hrS Blood Groups and Antibodies

Anti-hr^S, also known as the Shabalala antibody, is unlikely to be found in unabsorbed human serum. The term 'anti-hr^S' was devised by Shapiro in 1960 to describe the antibodies remaining in the absorbed serum after anti-Rh18 had been absorbed with R₂R₂ red cells. R₂R₂-absorbed anti-Rh18 (anti-hr^S), although an interesting research tool, is therefore clinically irrelevant. Unabsorbed anti-Rh18, on the other hand, is a clinically significant antibody. It is compatible not only with Rh-'deleted' and Rh_null red cells, as described by Shapiro, but is also compatible with the red cells of numbers of Southern African Blacks and Coloureds (mixed race) who have R₀, R₀^u or R₂r pheno-types. Anti-Rh18 causes haemolytic disease of the newborn and, when uncontaminated with other antibodies, is a further reagent for resolving Rh grouping problems.     

Identification of Two New D Variants, DHMi and DHMii Using Monoclonal Anti-D

Fifteen examples of red cells are described which showed discrepant reactivity on routine grouping with two monoclonal anti-D typing reagents, HAM-A being negative and MAD-2 strongly positive. The reaction profile of these cells with a number of monoclonal anti-D characterised the samples into two new variant groups, D^HMi and D^HMii. D^HMi was characterised by a negative reaction with BRAD-8 and D^HMii by a negative reaction with BRAD-5. D^HMi cells were found to have a papain-sensitive site, identified by Mab 21 G6, which was not detectable in D^HMii. The presence of allo-anti-D in one case of D^HMi suggests a partial D in these individuals. The positive reaction of HAM-A with sialidase- and endo-F-treated D^HMii cells suggests that sialic acid and/or N-glycans could possibly be involved in blocking the reaction with untreated cells. All samples typed as C-E+. One was e negative while the rest had variable depression of the e and f antigens. Marginal depression of E was seen with those D^HMi cells tested, but not with D^HMii cells. Data from family studies suggest that the variant D in both D^HMi and D^HMii is inherited as a cDE gene complex and is controlled by the RH locus.     

Reduced Survival of Isotope-Labelled Rh(D)-Negative Donor Red Cells in a Patient with Anti-LWab

The serum of an 85-year-old Caucasian male with no history of blood transfusion contained an IgG3 antibody with anti-LWab specificity. The antibody failed to react with dithiothreitol-treated red cells, and there was a marked reduction in titre of the antibody with pronase-treated cells, findings consistent with an antibody having this specificity. High association values were obtained in a mononuclear phagocyte assay when LW-positive red cells, sensitised in vitro with the patient's serum antibody, were incubated with peripheral blood monocytes from the patient. In vivo red cell survival studies demonstrated that 99mTc-labelled rhesus-negative (rr), LW-positive red cells had 53% survival at 1 h. The IgG subclass of the antibody, mononuclear phagocyte assay results and in vivo survival studies predicted a significant reduction in the posttransfusion survival of therapeutic volumes of rhesus-negative (rr), LW-positive red cells.     

A New Platelet Antigen System, Yuka/Yukb

We report a new platelet antigen (Yukb) involved in a case of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAITP). This antigen is considered to be a product of an allele of the Yuk gene, another allele of which codes for Yuka which was involved in 2 cases of NAITP. The Yuka and Yukb antigens are not expressed on thrombasthenic platelets which suggests that these antigens are present on platelet glycoprotein IIb and/or IIIa. The gene frequencies for Yuka and Yukb in the Japanese population were estimated to be 0.0083 and 0.9917, respectively.