Biologic functions of blood group antigens

In the past few years, we have learned a great deal about the biologic function of structures bearing blood group antigens. Some blood group antigen-bearing proteins function as major transport channels within the erythrocyte membrane; these include the anion transporter (band 3: Diego and Wright antigens), the water channel (aquaporin: Colton antigens), and the urea transporter (Kidd antigens). At least two erythrocyte blood group antigen proteins have complement regulatory functions: the complement receptor type 1 (CR1, CD35: Knops antigens) and decay accelerating factor (DAF, CD55: Cromer antigens). Some blood group antigens reside on proteins with known receptor functions, such as the chemokine receptor (Duffy) and the hyaluronan receptor (Indian). The Cartwright antigens reside on an enzyme, acetylcholinesterase, and the Kell antigens reside on a protein that belongs to the CALLA-related family of neutral metalloproteinases. Finally, some blood group antigens reside on proteins that serve crucial structural functions necessary to normal erythrocyte lifespan and morphology. These proteins include band 3, glycophorins C/D (bearing the Gerbich antigens), and the Rh proteins. Both oligosaccharide and protein blood group antigens may act as receptors for bacterial, viral, and parasitic infectious agents.