Expansion of the Kell blood group system: two new high-prevalence antigens and two novel K0 (Kellnull ) phenotypes.

Background: The number of KEL alleles associated with new antigens or loss of expression of high-prevalence antigens continues to increase. We investigated KEL in five samples: two with K0 (null) phenotypes and three with normal Kell expression and antibodies to high-prevalence antigens.

Study Design And Methods: Red blood cell (RBC) typing and antibody identification were by standard methods.

RHCE*ceCF encodes partial c and partial e but not CELO, an antigen antithetical to Crawford.

Background: RH43 (Crawford) is encoded by RHCE*ce with nucleotide changes 48G>C, 697C>G, and 733C>G (RHCE*ceCF). We investigated the Rh antigen expression and antibody specificities in four patients with this allele.

Study Design And Methods: Hemagglutination tests, DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism, allele-specific PCR, reticulocyte RNA isolation, reverse transcription-PCR cDNA analyses, cloning, and sequencing were performed by standard procedures.

A novel RHCE*ce 48C, 733G allele with Nucleotide 941C in Exon 7 encodes an altered red blood cell e antigen.

Background: Several RHCE*ce alleles have in common a 733C>G (Leu245Val) change. Some encode an altered expression of e on red blood cells (RBCs) and individuals with such RBCs can make e-like alloantibodies. The identification of an apparent anti-hr(B) in the serum of an E-e+ African American patient prompted us to analyze her DNA, which revealed a novel RHCE*ce allele.

Neutrophil apoptosis in preeclampsia, do steroids confound the relationship?

Aim: To investigate the influence of maternal corticosteroid administration on neutrophil apoptosis in early onset preeclampsia.

Methods: We investigated five groups: early onset preeclampsia (EOPET, <34 weeks, n = 10); late-onset preeclampsia (LOPET, > or =34 weeks, n = 7); normotensive intrauterine growth restriction (nIUGR, n = 11); normal pregnancy (NPC, n = 22); and non-pregnancy (n = 10). We examined, by flow cytometry, spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis after 18 h culture (hypodiploid DNA, Annexin V binding, propidium iodide [PI] permeability).