Extensive clinical, serologic and molecular studies lead to the first reported Rhmod phenotype in Argentina.

BACKGROUND: A highly reduced expression of Rh antigens in the erythrocyte membrane is the main feature of Rhmod , an extremely rare phenotype. Mutations within RHAG gene, which encodes RhAG glycoprotein and modulates Rh antigen expression and Rh complex formation, are the molecular events responsible for the Rhmod phenotype. Here we report a clinical, serologic, and molecular study of an Argentinean proband with Rh-deficiency syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rh antigens, RhAG and CD47 glycoproteins were studied by serologic methods in the proband, her parents and sister. Osmotic fragility and viscoelastic parameters were also examined. RHD zygosity was analyzed by RFLP-PCR. RHD, RHCE, and RHAG genes were studied by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: No Rh antigens were detected in the proband by standard techniques. However, adsorption-elution and anti-RhAG tests showed that the proposita was Rhmod . Reduced expression of CD47, enhanced osmotic fragility, and surface viscosity alterations giving rise to spherocytes were observed in the patient. Sequencing analysis showed that a c.920C>T mutation in RHAG Exon 6 was present in a homozygous state in the proband and in a heterozygous state in the rest of the family. This novel missense mutation caused the p.Ser307Phe amino acid substitution in Transmembrane Segment 10 of the RhAG glycoprotein. CONCLUSION: This comprehensive study determined the causes of the proband's anemia allowing the diagnosis of Rh-deficiency syndrome.

Characterization of RHD locus polymorphism in D negative and D variant donors from Northwestern Argentina.

BACKGROUND: A notable RHD variability has been observed in Central Argentina's current population attributed to the intermixing of different ethnic groups. The Northwestern region of the country is characterized by a markedly Amerindian genetic contribution. In this sense, the definition of the RHD polymorphism in individuals from this area was lacking. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 757 donors from Northwestern Argentina, with D negative C and/or E positive (n = 526), and D variant (n = 231) phenotype defined by standard hemmaglutination tube techniques were genotyped using in-house PCR strategies, commercial SNP arrays and Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: Among D negative C and/or E positive samples, RHD null (15.40%) and DEL alleles (3.23%) were identified. One unreported SNP c.1001T>A responsible for a null allele was found. RHD*01N.75 (4.18%) and RHD*DEL43 (2.66%) were the most prevalent variants following RHD*03N.01 (8.75%). The characterization of serologic weak D phenotypes showed that RHD*weak D type 1, 2, and 3 variants were found only in 37.24% of the samples, whereas RHD*weak D type 93 was the most prevalent allele (25.11%). Also, a previously unreported missense variation c.764G>A was identified. CONCLUSIONS: A RHD genotyping strategy for patients and donors from Northwestern Argentina must consider the detection of the frequently found RHD*01N.75, RHD*DEL43, and RHD*weak D type 93 variants. Taking into account that RHD*DEL43 has scarcely been found in North Americans and Europeans whereas RHD*01N.75 and RHD*weak D type 93 have never been described in populations other than Argentineans, these RHD variants could be attributed to Native Amerindian genetic influence.

Clinical Significance of an Alloantibody against the Kell Blood Group Glycoprotein.

BACKGROUND: Kell null (K0) individuals can produce anti-Ku, an antibody against many epitopes in the Kell glycoprotein, after transfusion and/or pregnancy. Since sensitized K0 patients are rare, little is known about anti-Ku clinical relevance and in particular about its association to hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. CASE REPORT: This work describes a case of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia due to immune-mediated erythrocyte destruction by an alloantibody directed against the Kell glycoprotein. Serologic and molecular approaches identified an anti-Ku alloantibody in maternal serum. A homozygous IVS3 + 1g>a point mutation (KEL*02N.06 allele) was found to be responsible for the lack of Kell antigen expression in the mother's red blood cell and subsequent alloimmunization after a previous pregnancy. Even though in most cases Kell antibodies are clinically severe and may cause suppression of erythropoiesis, in our case the newborn had a moderate anemia and hyperbilirubinemia that was successfully treated with phototherapy without requiring exchange transfusion. Serological and molecular studies performed in the proband's family members allowed us to provide them with proper counseling regarding alloimmunization after transfusion and/or pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: This case enlarges the understanding of the clinical significance of alloantibodies against Kell blood group antigens.

Molecular structures identified in serologically D- samples of an admixed population.

BACKGROUND: The D- phenotype is mainly caused by the complete deletion of the RHD gene in Caucasians. However, a plethora of allelic variants have been described among D- individuals from different ethnic groups. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A cohort of 1314 routine serologically D- samples from white Argentineans was studied by molecular methods. RESULTS: Among the 1314 D- samples, 2.1% showed RHD-specific amplifications. One hybrid Rhesus box was detected in all D-/RHD+ samples, suggesting a hemizygous status. The RHDΨ was found in 0.7% of rr samples while DEL and null variants were detected in 16.7% of the D- samples expressing C and/or E antigens. The variants associated with the C antigen were seven RHD-CE-D(s) , two RHD(1-2)-CE(2-9)-D(10), two previously unreported RHD(329T>C)-CE(3-9)-D null alleles, one RHD(M295I), and one new RHCE(1-2)-RHD(3361del11 -10) null allele whereas those associated with the E antigen were five RHD(46T>C) and one novel RHD(581insG) null allele responsible for a premature stop codon. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of D-/RHD+ samples is higher than that observed in Europeans. More than 50% of the RHD alleles found were represented by RHDψ and RHD-CE-D(s) showing the African contribution to the genetic pool of the admixed population analyzed. Interestingly, three new alleles were found, two of them being hybrid structures between previously described RHD variants recombined with RHCE sequences. The knowledge of the RHD allele repertoire in our population allowed the implementation of reliable typing and transfusion strategies for a better management of patients and pregnant women.

Alelos RHD nulos en pacientes RhD negativo de una población hospitalaria de la ciudad de Rosario / RHD null alleles in RhD negative patients from a hospital of Rosario

El fenotipo RhD negativo en la población caucásica es causado por una deleción completa del gen RHD. Sin embargo, han sido reportadas regiones específicas de este gen en individuos RhD negativo de diferentes grupos étnicos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue investigar la presencia de alelos RHD nulos en pacientes RhD negativo que concurrieron al Hospital Provincial del Centenario. Se tipificaron 12672 individuos y se seleccionaron las muestras RhD negativo halladas. Se determinó el fenotipo Rh completo y posteriormente se investigó la presencia del gen RHD utilizando una estrategia de PCR multíplex. En las muestras que presentaron fragmentos RHD específicos se realizaron reacciones de PCR alelo específicas para determinar el origen de los exones. Se encontraron 653 (5.15%) muestras RhD negativo. Cincuenta y cinco (8.42%) presentaban al menos el antígeno RhC o RhE. Los estudios moleculares permitieron detectar 7 alelos RHD Psi, 5 alelos híbridos RHD-CE(3-7)-D, 2 alelos híbridos RHD­CE(3-9)-D y 1 alelo nuevo RHD (46 T>C). La frecuencia de individuos RhD negativo en la población estudiada fue significativamente menor a la reportada en caucásícos. Los resultados moleculares obtenidos indican que 2.30% (15/653) de los individuos que no expresan el antígeno D son portadores de alelos RHD nulos. Los alelos RHD-CE(3-7)-D, RHD-CE(3-9)-D y RHD (46 T>C) están presentes únicamente en individuos RhD negativo que expresan los antígenos RhC y/o RhE con una frecuencia del 14.50% (8/55). Por otro lado, el alelo RHD Psi está asociado exclusivamente al fenotipo dccee, siendo el 1.17% (7/598) de estos individuos portadores del pseudogen RHD Psi. Estos hallazgos señalan la importancia del estudio del polimorfismo molecular del locus RH para el desarrollo de estrategias de tipificación de ADN confiables, que permitan realizar la genotipificación RHD prenatal y optimizar la selección de unidades a transfundir en los Bancos de Sangre.

The RhD negative phenotype in Caucasians is mainly caused by a complete deletion of the RHD gene. However, specific regions of the RHD gene in RhD negative individuals have been reported in different ethnic groups. The purpose of this study was to analyse the presence of silent RHD alleles in RhD negative patients concurring to the Hospital Provincial del Cen­tenario. Blood samples from 12672 individuals were studied and the RhD negative phenotypes were selected. Initially, the complete Rh phenotype was determined and DNA samples were screened using a multiplex PCR strategy to detect the presence of an RHD allele. Samples carrying RHD specific fragments were further studied by RHD exon scanning with allele specific PCR. 653 samples out of the 12672 (5.15%) were found RhD negative. Within this group, 8.42 % were either RhC positive or RhE positive. Molecular studies detected 7 RHD Psi alleles, 5 RHD-CE(3-7)-D hybrid alleles, 2 RHD-CE(3-9)-D hybrid alleles and 1 RHD (46 T>C) novel allele.The frequency of RhD negative individuals observed in the population studied was lower than that reported for Caucasians. Molecular analysis showed that 2.30% (15/653) of the individuals with no expression of the D antigen carry RHD null alleles. RHD­CE(3-7)-D, RHD-CE(3-9)-D and RHD (46 T>C) alleles are present only in individuals expressing either RhC or RhE with a frequency of 14.55% (8/55). The RHD Psy is associated with the dccee phenotype and 1.17% (7/ 598) of these individuals carries the RHD Psi pseudogen. These findings highlight the importance of studying the molecular polymorphism of the RH locus so as to develop reliable DNA typing strategies.