Resolução de discrepâncias do sistema histo-sanguíneo ABO

Abstract

ABO histo-blood group system is the most important transfusional system and the identification of its phenotypes is often performed by means of direct and reverse typing, which must always present concordant results. However, some genetic factors such as natural chimerisms and point mutations in the ABO gene may affect the expression of the antigens and antibodies of this system, contributing to the discrepancy in the phenotyping, requiring investigations to define the correct phenotype of receptors and blood donors. Objectives. The main objective of this study was to investigate the variations in the expression of the antigens of the ABO histo-blood group system. Its specific objectives were: 1. Selection of recipients and blood donors that presented discrepancies between the results of the direct and reverse phenotyping of the ABO histo-blood group system; 2. Investigation, using serological and molecular methods, of the causes of phenotypic changes and discrepancies between the results of direct and reverse phenotypes in the ABO histo-blood group system in the recipients and donors of blood. Material and Methods. Samples of recipients (n = 2) and blood donors (n = 7) presenting discrepancies between the direct and reverse phenotyping were selected. Phenotyping were performed using conventional and modified hemagglutination methods in tubes and gel columns with commercial antisera and lectins. Molecular investigations were performed using PCR-RFLP method and sequencing of exons 6 and 7 of the ABO gene and exon 2 of the FUT2 gene. Results. Four cases with poor expression of antigen A and absence of expected antibody, observed in hemagglutination, were identified as A2B, Ael and Aw. Four cases without antigenic alteration but carrying an irregular antibody anti-A1 or absence of expected antibody were characterized as AB, A1 and O and presented common ABO alleles. A case of non-dizygotic twins, phenotyped as AB and with double red blood cell population was characterized as hematopoietic chimera after extensive family analysis. The DNA extracted from buccal swab revealed the ABO (A101/B101) and FUT2 (SE*25.01.01/SE*25.01.01) genotypes in the male twin and the ABO (O01/O02) and FUT2 (SE*01.04.01/SE*01.06.03) genotypes in the female twin. Sequences of two new ABO (ABO*Aw.38; KT906366.1) and FUT2 (SE*01.06.03; KX550421) allele sequences were deposited on GenBank. Conclusions. Our results demonstrate that the use of serum and salivary serological assays combined with molecular methods are good tools to solving discrepancies between the direct and reverse phenotyping of the ABO histo-blood group system as well as elucidate cases of twin chimerism in humans, with a double population of red blood cells. In addition, they contribute to the identification of new alleles of the ABO and FUT2 genes.