RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ABO BLOOD GROUP AND LEVELS OF GAL ??,3GALACTOSE-REACTIVE HUMAN IMMUNOGLOBULIN G1

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Abstract
Background. The terminal Galα1,3Galactose (αGal) determinant is present on all porcine glycoproteins and glycolipids, but is not expressed by human cells. Consequently human sera contain anti-αGal natural antibodies. The human blood group B antigen [Gal α1,3(Fuc1,2)Galactose] is differentiated from the αGal epitope by the presence of a fucosyl group. Methods. To determine whether the expression of the B antigen has any effect on the level of αGal-reactive natural antibodies, equal numbers (n=12) of A, B, AB, and O serum samples were evaluated by ELISA and flow cytometry. Results. A significant reduction in IgG αGal reactivity was observed with serum samples from B antigen-expressing donors (B, AB) relative to non-B antigen-expressing donors (A, O). Conclusions. These results are consistent with the possibility that anti-αGal antibodies in non-B antigen-expressing individuals include a subset that is reactive with the structurally related B antigen and that this subset is absent in B and AB individuals.