When a pregnant woman sampled her blood in 1972, doctors discovered that at that time the surface molecules found in all other known red blood cells were mysteriously lacking.
Fifty years later, this strange absence of molecules finally led to British and Israeli researchers explaining new blood type systems in humans. In 2024, the team published a paper on discovery.
“This represents the culmination of the great achievements and long team effort in finally establishing this new blood layer system and being able to provide the best care to rare but important patients.” I said Last September, after studying this bloody habit for nearly 20 years.
We all have the ABO blood type system and RH factor (That’s the positive or negative part), but humans actually have it Many different blood type systems It is based on a wide variety of cell surface proteins and sugars that coat our blood cells.
Our bodies, among other purposes, use these antigenic molecules as discriminator markers to separate the “self” from the potentially harmful non-serub.
If these markers do not match when receiving a blood transfusion, this life-saving tactic is It can cause a reaction or even fatal.
Most major blood types were identified in the early 20th century. Many have discovered it, like the ER blood system, originally described by researchers in 2022, and the ER blood system that affects only a small number of people. This also applies to new blood types.
“The work was difficult because genetic cases are so rare.” I explained it Tilly.
Previous studies found that over 99.9% of people had ANWJ antigens that were missing from the blood of patients in 1972. This antigen is present in a Myelin and lymphocyte proteinswhich guides researchers to call the newly described system the MAL blood layer.
When someone has a mutated version of both copies of them mal Genes, they become ANWJ-negative blood types like pregnant patients. Tilly and his team have identified three patients with rare blood types that do not carry this mutation, suggesting that blood disorders can also suppress the antigen.
“MAL is a very small protein, and it is difficult to identify some interesting properties, meaning that multiple lines of research need to be pursued to accumulate the evidence necessary to establish this blood type system.” I explained it Tim Thatchwell is a university cell biologist in western England.
After decades of research, the team inserted normals to determine that they had the correct genes mal inheritance to ANWJ-negative blood cells. This effectively provided these cells with the ANWJ antigen.
MAL proteins are known to play an important role in stabilizing cell membranes and supporting cell transport. moreover, Previous research found ANWJs do not actually exist in newborns, but appear immediately after birth.
Interestingly, all ANWJ-negative patients included in the study shared the same mutation. However, other cellular abnormalities and diseases have been found to be associated with this mutation.
Now that researchers have identified the genetic markers behind them mal Mutations, patients can check whether a negative mal blood type is inherited or due to suppression. This could be a sign of another underlying medical problem.
These rare haematological habits can have devastating effects on patients, so the more you understand, the more lives you can save.
This study was published in blood.
An earlier version of this article was released in September 2024.
