Genetics of the Human Red Cell Surface

Abstract

For the whole of the 20th century, the red blood cell surface has been a favourite tool of geneticists and biochemists. One individual can be immunized to produce antibodies against the red cells of another by cross-reacting environmental antigens (this is the case with ‘naturally occurring’ antibodies to A and B blood groups), pregnancy (e.g. Rhesus antibodies) and accidentally during blood transfusions. All these sources provide a rich supply of antisera. The agglutination of red blood cells by antibodies, either directly or indirectly with the help of a second antibody against human immunoglobulin, provides a quick, cheap and simple assay. Combined with the ease of phlebotomy (the removal of blood) it can be seen why the human red blood cell surface has been more exhaustively studied than any other and, in consequence, the serological, genetic and biochemical definition of the red blood cell surface represents a model system for analysing other cell surfaces. In addition the medical importance of blood transfusion and of diseases such as haemolytic disease of the newborn ensures that study of the human red blood cell surface is not only an esoteric pursuit.