Blood groups – minuses and pluses. Do the blood group antigens protect us from infectious diseases?
Journal Title: Advances in Hygiene and Experimental Medicine - Year 2015, Vol 69, Issue 0
Abstract
Human blood can be divided into groups, which is a method of blood classification based on the presence or absence of inherited erythrocyte surface antigens that can elicit immune response. According to the International Society of Blood Transfusion, there are 341 blood group antigens collected in 35 blood group systems. These antigens can be proteins, glycoproteins or glycosphingolipids, and function as transmembrane transporters, ion channels, adhesion molecules or receptors for other proteins. The majority of blood group antigens is present also on another types of cells. Due to their localization on the surface of cells, blood group antigens can act as receptors for various pathogens or their toxins, such as protozoa (malaria parasites), bacteria (Helicobacter pylori, Vibrio cholerae and Shigella dysenteriae) and viruses (Noroviruses, Parvoviruses, HIV). If the presence of group antigen (or its variant which arised due to mutation) is beneficial for the host (e.g. because pathogens are not able to bind to the cells), the blood group may become a selection trait, leading to its dissemination in the population exposed to that pathogen. There are thirteen blood group systems that can be related to pathogen resistance, and it seems that the particular influence was elicit by malaria parasites. It is generally thought that the high incidence of blood groups such as O in the Amazon region, Fy(a-b-) in Africa and Ge(-) in Papua-New Guinea is the result of selective pressure from malaria parasite. This review summarizes the data about relationship between blood groups and resistance to pathogens.
Authors and Affiliations
Marcin Czerwiński
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP67709
- DOI -
- Views 139
- Downloads 0
The importance of selected spices in cardiovascular diseases
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. Literature data indicate that, due to these diseases, approximately 17.5 million people died in 2012. Types of cardiovascular disease include ischemic hea...
Udział stresu oksydacyjnego w niepłodności żeńskiej oraz w zapłodnieniu metodą in vitro
Niepłodność jest problemem wielu par w wieku rozrodczym. Szacuje się, że w Polsce 0,7-1,0 miliona par wymaga leczenia, przy czym dla ponad połowy z nich rozród wspomagany jest jedyną rekomendowaną i skuteczną metodą. Pro...
Yeast as a model for studying neurodegeneration
At the level of genetics and physiology the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is are the best characterized eukaryotic cells. The yeast cells can be used as a model to study the mechanisms involved in human disease. Yeast...
Zaawansowane produkty utleniania białek jako potencjalny czynnik diagnostyczny i prognostyczny w chorobach o wskazywanym udziale stresu oksydacyjnego
Możliwość diagnostycznego i/lub prognostycznego wykorzystania pomiaru stężenia zaawansowanych produktów utleniania białek (AOPPs) w chorobach przewlekłych o dobrze udokumentowanym udziale stresu oksydacyjnego (OS) w ich...
Host genetic factors associated with susceptibility to HIV infection and progression of infection
HIV infection causes progressive immune system deficiency, the development of AIDS and eventual death. Genetic factors play a very important role in the susceptibility to HIV infection and disease progression. Estimation...