Blood Type Biochemistry and Human Disease

What is it about?

Associations between blood types and human disease have been studied since the early 1900s. Although ABO blood group antigens were the first to be identified and are perhaps the most important and widely-studied, exponential advances in technology and the sequencing of the genome have resulted in the identification of hundreds of blood group antigens, classified into more than 30 blood group systems. Sophisticated modern technologies have revealed compelling evidence for the association of specific human blood group antigens with certain disease risks.

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Why is it important?

Blood group antigens are found on red blood cells, platelets, leukocytes, plasma proteins, certain tissues, and various cell surface enzymes, and also exist in soluble form in body secretions such as breast milk, seminal fluid, saliva, sweat, gastric secretions, urine, and amniotic fluid. Human blood group antigens can be used as receptors by pathogens or mimicked by bacteria, and even small variations in structure are recognized by the immune system, which produces antibodies in self-defense. Thus, blood group antigens may be one of the predisposing factors that contribute to or prevent disease processes.

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