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Postnatal development of red cell Le(a) and Le(b) antigens in Chinese infants
Insights
Newborn infants show distinct Lewis phenotypes at birth, with most developing adult Le(a-b+) blood types. This study tracks Lewis antigen development in Chinese infants, revealing key transitional stages.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Human genetics
- Pediatric research
Background:
- The Lewis blood group system antigens (Le(a), Le(b)) are important in transfusion medicine and disease susceptibility.
- Understanding the ontogeny of Lewis phenotypes in newborns is crucial for accurate blood typing and clinical management.
- Previous studies have suggested maternal influence on neonatal Lewis phenotypes, but infant-derived expression is also considered.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental trajectory of Lewis phenotypes in Chinese newborns and young children.
- To determine the origin of Lewis antigens expressed at birth.
- To correlate neonatal Lewis phenotypes with adult Lewis blood group profiles in the Chinese population.
Main Methods:
- Lewis phenotyping was performed on 487 blood samples from Chinese newborns and young children.
- Phenotypic frequencies were analyzed at birth (cord blood) and at approximately one month of age.
- Adult Chinese blood donor samples (n=120) were used as controls to establish adult phenotypic frequencies.
Main Results:
- At birth, 50% of cord blood samples exhibited the Le(a-b+) phenotype, and 50% showed the Le(a-b-) phenotype.
- Infants with Le(a-b+) cord cells likely produce their own weak Leb antigen, progressing to the adult Le(a-b+) phenotype.
- Most infants with Le(a-b-) cord cells transitioned to Le(a+b+) by one month, potentially influenced by the weak secretor gene Se omega, while some remained Le(a-b-).
Conclusions:
- Neonatal Lewis phenotyping reveals distinct developmental pathways for Le(a-b+) and Le(a-b-) cord cells in Chinese infants.
- The weak Leb antigen in Le(a-b+) newborns is likely infant-derived, with a progression towards the adult Le(a-b+) phenotype.
- The study postulates the role of the weak secretor gene (Se omega) in the conversion of Le(a-b-) cord cells to the adult Le(a+b+) phenotype, though some infants may retain the Le(a-b-) phenotype into adulthood.
Abstract:
Lewis phenotyping of 487 blood samples from Chinese newborn infants and young children, revealed that 50% of cord cells were Le(a-b+) and 50% Le(a-b-). The weak Leb antigen of Le(a-b+) cord cells is most likely produced by the newborn infant rather than of maternal origin and it appears that these infants eventually develop by way of an intermediate Le(a+b+) stage into the adult Le(a-b+) phenotype. Most infants with Le(a-b-) cord cells, but not all, appear to develop through a transitional Le(a+b-) stage, into Le (a+b+) by about 1 month of age, most likely continuing as such into adulthood. This development of Le(a-b-) cord cells into the adult Le(a+b+) phenotype is postulated to be the result of the weak secretor gene Se omega. Those infants with Le(a-b-) cord cells that do not convert to Le(a+b+) during the first month of life, most likely remain as such into adulthood. The blood of 120 adult voluntary blood donors, used as controls, reconfirmed adult Chinese phenotypic frequencies of approximately 70% Le(a-b+), 22% Le(a+b+) and 8% Le(a-b-).