Chapter 7 Other Blood Group Systems, HLA, and Platelet Antigens Flashcards
What can make a clinically significant antibody significant?
- Ones that can cause hemolytic transfusion reactions or HDFN (IgG)
- Cause interference in lab testing (IgM)
- Form due to naturally occurring substances in the environment (IgM) (without exposure to foreign RBCs)
There may be other reasons.
What are the two major antigens in the Kell Blood Group System? What is the gene behavior?
2 major antigens
K (KEL1): ~9% of the population
k (KEL2/Cellano): more than 99.8% of the population
The K and k antigens are antithetical (co-dominant)
Note: The names of the antigens in brackets are old terms. You may encounter them but K and k are the proper names now.
Does someone have the Kell antigens at birth?
Yes, they are well developed at birth.
What is 2nd to D antigen for being immunogenic and stimulating antibody production?
K (KEL1) antigen is very immunogenic (second to the D antigen).
How many K antigens per positive red cell are there?
3500 to 18000 K antigens / positive red cell
Where is the Kell antigens on the RBC?
Kell antigens are integral part of the RBC membrane.
How do enzymes affect Kell antigens?
No effect when treated with enzymes.
What are Kell antigens sensitive to and why?
Sensitive to sulfhydryl reagents because Kell antigens have disulfide-bonded regions on the glycoproteins.
Examples of these reagents are:
2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME)
Dithiothreitol (DTT)
2-aminoethylisothiouronium bromide (AET)
What are other antithetical Kell antigens in the Kell system and frequency in the population?
Kp antigens
Kpa is a low-frequency antigen (only 2%)
Kpb is a high-frequency antigen (99.9%)
Js antigens
Jsa (20% in blacks, 0.1% in Caucasians)
Jsb is a high-frequency antigen (80% to 100%)
Note: a and b are superscripts for Kp and Js.
What is the K_0 or Kell_null phenotype? What is the result of that type?
- Lacks all Kell system antigens (K0K0)
- Expresses related Kx antigen
- As a result of RBC immune stimulation, K_0 individuals can develop anti-Ku
- Ku is on RBCs that have Kell antigens
What are the high and low incidence alleles on the Kell gene?
High-incidence alleles:
k, Kpb, Jsb, and KEL11
Low-incidence alleles:
K, Kpa, Jsa, KEL17
What chromosome is the Kell genes located on?
Chromosome 7
What type of immunoglobulin is stimulated by Kell antigen exposure?
IgG, RBC stimulated from transfusion or pregnancy.
Do Kell antigens bind complement?
No
Which procedure do Kell antigens agglutinate best in the lab?
Indirect antiglobulin Test (IAT)
What are the most common/rare antibodies developed to the Kell antigens?
Anti-K is the most common; anti-k is extremely rare
How is the Kx antigen phenotypically related to the Kell system?
Kell glycoprotein is covalently linked to Kx. Absence of Kx antigen weakens the expression of Kell antigen.
Where is the Kx antigen gene located?
X chromosome
What levels of Kx antigens do people who are Kell_null have?
Kell_null individuals have elevated levels of Kx antigen.
What problems do people have who lack the Kx antigen?
Individuals who lack Kx antigen may demonstrate RBC abnormalities (McLeod phenotype).
What is McLeod Syndrome and symptoms?
- McLeod phenotype is attributed to McLeod Syndrome. Seen in males as it is inherited on the X chromosome
- McLeod Syndrome symptoms:
a) RBC abnormalities,
b) Muscular and neurologic defects
c) Increased creatine kinase
What disease is associated with McLeod Syndrome?
Chronic Granulomatous Disease with impaired phagocytosis such that WGCs engulf but cannot kill.
What chromosome are the Duffy blood group system genes on?
Chromosome 1
Are Duffy Blood group system antigens well developed at birth?
Yes