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Genetic heterogeneity of the blood group O, Le(a-b-) phenotype

Marcos Palatnik^{I, II}; Nanci S.M. Laranjeira^I; Maria L.M.S. Simões^I; Juciara B. Loureiro1^I

^ILaboratório de Pesquisa, Serviço de Hemoterapia, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho,3 ⁰. andar, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Brig. Trompowski, s/n, Ilha do Fundão, 21941 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. Send correspondence to M.P.
^IIDepartamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil

ABSTRACT

Forty-seven percent of salivas from a random sample of blood group O Le(a-b-) blood donors showed significant Lewis antigen titers. They were, indeed, of the Le/— genotype. The proportions of secretors and non-secretors of H substance among Caucasoids and Blacks and Lewis salivary phenotypes are rather similar. A family study suggested that either an atypical Le* allele or a dominant repressor gene has a blocking effect on the attachment of the Lewis glycosphingolipids to the red cell membrane or on the normal production or circulation of these substances, without interfering with the biosynthesis of Lewis salivary antigens. The immunogenetic status of lele and Lel— Le(a-b-) individuals as potential producers of Lewis allo-antibodies in relation to incompatible renal transplant or blood transfusion is also discussed.

Keywords: genetic; heterogeneity; blood; phenotype.

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