Expression of red cell antigens by K562 human leukemia cells before and after induction of hemoglobin synthesis by hemin

Abstract

The red cell antigens present on K562 human leukemia cells were studied before and after induction of Hb synthesis by hemin. The fetal antigens i, IF and IT were detected on uninduced cells. While expression of both i and IT antigens increased after hemin induction, expression of IT was closely related to fetal Hb synthesis as determined in experiments in which the induction was reversed. The EnaFR, Nvg and T antigens of glycophorin A were also present on uninduced cells. The M and Pra antigens of glycophorin A, the Kell system antigens and the P1 antigen became detectable only after hemin induction. Antigens of other major red cell systems were not detected.