Red blood cells. / Robotitus/DALLE·3
In 1972, a pregnant woman’s blood test revealed the absence of the molecule on the surface of her red blood cells, an unusual finding at the time. After five decades, this strange discovery led researchers to identify a new blood group system in humansaccording to a study published in Blood.
Dr Louise Tilley, a haematologist from the UK’s National Health Servicehas been researching this phenomenon for almost 20 years. “This achievement is the result of a collaborative effort that will allow us to offer better care to rare but important patients,” pointed out Tilley.
blood groups
Although the system ABO blood groups y Rh factor are the best known, there are many other systems based on proteins and sugars present on the surface of blood cells.
These molecules, called antigens, help the body identify its own and potentially harmful cells. If they don’t match when transfused, a serious or even fatal reaction can occur.
Most of blood groups the main ones were identified in the early 20th century. However, systems like the Er group, discovered in 2022they affect only a few people, as does this new blood type.
Previous research has shown this more than 99.9% of people have the AnWj antigenabsent in the 1972 patient This antigen is found in a protein on myelin and lymphocytes, leading scientists to call the new system the MAL blood group.
A new type
People with a mutated version of both MAL genes have a negative blood group for AnWj, like the examined patient. However, the team also found three patients with the rare type sangre who did not have this mutation, suggesting that some blood disorders can suppress the antigen.
Professor Tim Satchwell, cell biologist at the University of the West of Englandexplained that MAL is a small protein with complex properties, which made its identification difficult and required multiple approaches to confirm the new blood system. After decades of research, the team inserted the normal MAL gene into blood cells that were negative for AnWj, allowing those cells to express the antigen.
This is known The MAL protein is crucial for maintaining the stability of cell membranes and facilitate cell transport. Additionally, previous studies have found that the AnWj antigen is not present in newborns but appears shortly after birth.
Interestingly, all AnWj-negative patients in the study shared the same mutation, although no other associated diseases or cellular abnormalities were found. Patients can now be tested genetics determine whether your negative blood type is due to heredity or antigen suppression, which could indicate underlying health problems.
