Immunohematology and Genetic Testing (red cells, leukocytes and platelets)
Gregory Denomme, PhD (he/him/his)
Laboratory Director and Head of R&D
Grifols Laboratory Solutions
San Marcos, Texas, United States
Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
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Sean Stowell, MD PhD
Vice Chair for Transfusion Medicine
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Disclosure(s): Cerus Corporation: Consultant/Advisory Board (Ongoing)
Jian Chen, MD, PhD
Co-director, Transfusion services
Houston Methodist Hospital
Houston, Texas, United States
Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
Session Desription: Minor ABO-incompatible transfusion of plasma containing products has been a necessary and common practice in transfusion medicine. Estimating the concentration of antibody via titers is the first step by which clinical decisions are made for ABO-incompatible plasma-containing transfusions, and in solid organ and stem cell transplants. The presence of anti-A and B isoagglutinin in plasma is well documented, but the role they play and significant in various clinical settings can be complex and poorly understood. Recipients of minor ABO-incompatible platelet transfusions can develop anemia, some group B solid-organ recipients do not qualify for a A2 organ due to “high” anti-A titers, and delayed engraftment or failure to engraft is still a potential outcome for ABO-incompatible stem cell transplantation. This session will review the basic understanding of naturally occurring and immune ABO antibodies. From the elusive 'anti-A,B' and what defines an ABO ‘hemolysin’, to the advancements in scientific knowledge of ABO glycosylation and the biological factors that affect antibody binding and function will be reviewed. In addition, state-of-the-art lectin array analysis will be presented that has helps model complex ABO glycan phenotypes on red blood cells, including protein and lipid-based ABO glycosylation. A number of glycosyltransferases contribute to the glycocalyx, and the lectin approach is poised to identify unique structural features of A and B antigens. Don’t miss the opportunity to know more about advancements on A and B antigen structure and the function of ABO antibodies.