Premium
CAD(SUPER Sd a ) IN A BRITISH FAMILY WITH EASTERN CONNECTIONS: A NOTE ON THE SPECIFICITY OF THE DOLICHOS BIFLORUS LECTIN
Author(s) -
Bird G. W. G.,
Wingham June
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
international journal of immunogenetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.41
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1744-313X
pISSN - 1744-3121
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-313x.1976.tb00587.x
Subject(s) - lectin , abo blood group system , antigen , biology , absorption (acoustics) , cad , immunology , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , acoustics , physics
SUMMARY Cad, Sd(a++) or Super Sd a is a rare, inherited, dominant blood group character which is of much interest, not only with regard to problems in pretransfusion tests (erythrocyte polyagglutination) but also in the field of lectin specificity. We have studied this blood group character in a British family with Eastern connections and present a brief account of its serological and clinical importance. Most persons are Sd(a+) but there is a wide distribution of antigen strength, ranging from ordinary Sd(a+) to Cad. Most persons also have weak anti‐Sd a in their serum; this is ordinarily of no clinical importance, but could cause problems if Cad bloods are transfused. The chief structural determinant of Cad specificity is N ‐acetyl‐ d ‐galactosamine in α‐linked position, yet it is clearly distinguishable by use of appropriate lectins from other blood group antigens, A and Tn, which also have this acetyl‐hexosamine as their chief structural determinant. A method for the rapid identification of Cad, applicable to all ABO groups, is described. The lectin of Dolichos biflorus , which is specific for N ‐acetyl‐ d ‐galactosamine in α‐linked position, reacts strongly with A(A 1 ), Tn and Cad cells, its action on Cad cells being much the strongest. Absorption‐elution studies show that one and the same lectin reacts with both A 1 and Tn cells. Absorption with Cad cells abolishes activity for A 1 , Tn and Cad cells; whereas absorption with A 1 or Tn cells leaves activity for Cad. This does not necessarily indicate that anti‐Cad is a separate component since the same result can be obtained by simply diluting the Dolichos reagent. However, eluates from Cad cells react only with Cad cells, whereas eluates from A 1 or Tn cells react with A 1 , Tn and Cad cells.