Analyses of blood group polymorphisms and antigen expression: clinical implications

Abstract

In this century a new technology is gradually been infiltrating in transfusion medicine and complementing the serological techniques: the genotyping of blood groups through a series of molecular methods. The future of blood groups undoubtedly involves molecular biology. In this context, new developments are necessary to make possible the introduction of genotyping of blood groups in the blood bank routine. The genotyping of blood groups can contribute significantly in the quality of the phenotyped transfused blood, especially in multi-transfused patients. A number of genes encoding blood group antigens can be expressed in heterologous systems, such as mammalian cell lines, so that theoretically, panel cell line expressing individual antigens can be prepared for the development of an automated, objective antibody and identification procedure. Studies of blood group antigens expression in patients with warm hemolytic auto-immune anemia can also contribute in the identification of the autoantibody. Thus, with extensive knowledge of the genes and expression of blood group antigens will be able to: replace safely serological techniques currently employed in the routines of blood banks by molecular techniques, express antigens of blood groups in cell lines for use in the process of identification of antibodies and increase the transfusion safety for multitransfused patients and patients with warm hemolytic auto-immune anemia. Although many researchers are working in this context, few data were published and the Brazilian population still remains a mystery as its genetic diversity of blood groups. (AU)