INSIGHTS INTO THE EXPRESSION OF ABH AND LEWIS ANTIGENS THROUGH HUMAN-BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION

Abstract

Twelve informative bone marrow transplants, with at least 1 difference in ABO and/or Lewis types between donor and recipient, were retrospectively studied. ABH and Lewis antigens were determined in plasma, erythrocytes and lymphocytes. Donor lymphocytes acquired the ABH and Lewis antigens from the recipient''s plasma in the same way that donor erythrocytes acquired the Lewis antigens from it. Lymphocytotoxicity tests detected type 1 ABH and Lewis antigens only, providing evidence for the existence of combined ABH and Lewis antigens on lymphocytes. However, the ABH antigens on type 2 chains of red cells are devoid of Lewis specificities. The differences in genetic control, probable chemical structure and cellular origin of these 2 types of ABH antigens are presented in a theoretical model that accounts for most of the known data.