A team of researchers has determined the genetic background of the mysterious blood group antigen AnWj. The discovery of a new blood group has solved a 50-year mystery.
Scientists at the International Blood Group Reference Laboratory (IBGRL) and the University of Bristol have created a new blood group system called MAL.
Traditionally, blood groups are categorized into first, second, third and fourth blood types. In each of which red blood cells contain specific surface markers (antigens). However, blood has a more complex composition, and to date, scientists have identified 47 blood group systems that take into account the presence of more than 360 antigens.
The new system, developed by British researchers, is based on the classification of blood groups by the antigen AnWj, which is transmitted by the Mal protein. According to scientists, a negative reaction can occur when blood is transfused to people with a negative AnWj genotype from people with a positive genotype.
More than 99.9 percent of the population has a positive AnWj genotype. However, scientists have found a few members with a negative genotype. The most common causes of negative AnWj turned out to be hematologic disease and some cancers. Only a few individuals had this feature due to genetic factors.
The AnWj antigen was discovered in 1972, but its genetic origin remained unknown for half a century.
