Antigenic Relations of Blood Group Antigens as Suggested by Tests with Lectins

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Summary: An examination of some of the unusual specificities exhibited by certain plant agglutinins (lectins) suggests considerable chemical and antigenic similarities among the A1, A2, B and O (H) blood group substances. These lectins are also capable of acting as specific precipitins, and analysis of precipitates made with specific substances shows that purification by ethanol-water fractionation has produced preparations of which over 30% of the nitrogen is specifically active. Practical application of some of these preparations in the routine diagnosis of subgroups is suggested.