Universal Red Blood Cells a Reality

Enzymes that scrub antigens from red blood cells, turning all donated blood into group O, could eventually reduce blood shortages and make transfusions safer, claims a new study.

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen (Denmark), and other institutions, identified two bacterial glycosidase gene families that provide enzymes capable of efficient removal of A and B antigens at neutral pH. The first, an enteral bacterium called Bacteroides fragilis, removes the B antigen. The other, from Elizabethkingia meningosepticum--which causes opportunistic infections--targets the A antigen. The purified enzymes are highly efficient, with low consumption of recombinant enzymes. The researchers are cooperating with ZymeQuest (Beverly, MA, USA), which is planning clinical trials to test whether the treated blood is safe and effective. The study was published in the April 2007 edition of the journal Nature Biotechnology

"The conversion processes we describe hold promise for achieving the goal of producing universal red blood cells, which would improve the blood supply while enhancing the safety of clinical transfusions,” said lead author Dr. Henrik Clausen, of the department of cellular and molecular medicine at the University of Copenhagen.

Red blood cells fall into four groups, A, B, AB, and O, according to the different surface antigens. Blood from group A, B and, AB donors can only be given to certain people, making group O in demand in emergencies when the individual's blood type is not known, or alternatives are not available. Receiving mismatched blood can cause a life-threatening reaction, and errors are made on average in 1 in every 15,000 transfusions.


Related Links:
University of Copenhagen
ZymeQuest