The loss of two newborn children led to the discovery of a rare group of blood types that were first observed in humans 40 years ago, according to a study published by the website “”Sense Alert“.
After discovering the “relatively new blood group molecular identity”, known as the Er system, this new study might prevent such tragedies in the future.
“This work shows that even following all the research done to date, simple red blood cells can still surprise us,” says Ash Toy, a biological cell scientist at the University of Bristol.
The classification of blood showed the presence and absence of groups of proteins and sugars that coat the surfaces of red blood cells. Although they can serve different purposes, our bodies generally use cell surface antigens to fight disease.
The site points out that most people know the ABO and rhesus blood groups (ie plus or minus), and knowing this is important in cases of blood transfusions. But there are actually many different blood group systems that depend on a wide range of cell surface antigens and their variants.
Most major groups were recognized in the early 20th century, although a late entrant, named Er, appeared in 1982. Six years later, a version named Erb was identified. And the symbol Er3 was used to describe the absence of Era and Erb.
While it has been clear for decades that these blood cell antigens are present, very little is known regarding their clinical effect.
When a blood cell appears with an antigen that our body has not classified as known, our immune system activates, sending antibodies to fight the suspected antigen-bearing cells to destroy them. In some cases, an incompatibility between the fetus’s blood type and the mother’s blood type can cause problems if the mother’s immune system becomes sensitive to foreign antigens. The antibodies produced in response to this can pass through the placenta, leading to hemolytic disease in the fetus.
Fortunately, there are several ways to prevent or even treat hemolytic disease in newborns these days, including injections for expectant mothers and blood transfusions for children.
