The research team, led by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) scientists in South Gloucestershire and supported by the University of Bristol, found a blood group called MAL.

They identified the genetic background of the previously known AnWj blood group antigen, which was discovered in 1972 but unknown until now after this world-first test was developed.

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[–] adespoton@lemmy.ca 118 points 1 week ago (4 children)

This is a horribly written article about an exciting discovery.

Essentially, they’ve discovered that some humans don’t actually have the AnWj antigen, where it was assumed that all humans had some antigen configuration. And they’ve found a way to test for the missing antigens.

[–] DrWorm@lemmy.world 35 points 1 week ago (4 children)

So... I'm a dumbass. What's the benefit of the antigens or lack thereof? Are there types of diseases that are more prevalent with or without these things?

The article didn't really go into any details as to how or why this will result in saving lives. Just that they can test for it.

[–] QuarterSwede@lemmy.world 57 points 1 week ago

Give someone blood with antigens when they don’t have antigens and things go badly. Now they can test for non-antigen blood and ensure they give the correct blood and save their life.

[–] NaibofTabr@infosec.pub 18 points 1 week ago

Antigens are molecules that bind with antibodies - which is to say that they are things which trigger immune responses. In human blood, antigens are protein markers which are part of red blood cells.

Blood antigens are important because giving a patient blood which contains antigens that their antibodies react to will cause the immune system to attack the donor blood as if it were bacteria or another foreign invader. If you receive a liter of blood that your antibodies react to, your immune system will destroy the foreign blood (so you still need blood) and also your kidneys will start to fail because they're being overwhelmed with a liter of dead blood cells all at once.

Most people are familiar with A/B/O +/-, but the reality is far more complicated. Hundreds of different protein markers have been identified in human blood. Not all of them are clinically relevant in the sense that they can cause rejection, and not all of them have easy identification tests. The more precise and thorough the antigen testing can be, the less likely that a blood transfusion will accidentally kill a patient.

[–] Flipper@feddit.org 10 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I'm not sure about this antigen in particular but from the ab0 group 0 (lack of a and b) protects to a certain degree from malaria.

[–] Xain52@lemmy.world 6 points 1 week ago

When i was doing my rotation at a lab i found out about the bombay blood type. Its not a traditioanal blood type. If you gave someone with bombay blood o blood even they would have a reaction.

[–] lath@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Hey there. From one dumbass to another, i believe antigens help protect against mutation of the genetic code.

[–] blandfordforever@lemm.ee 10 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

These antigens are mainly significant in regards to blood transfusions.

People generally don't create antibodies against antigens that they have on their own cells.

If someone receives blood containing an antigen that isn't present on their own cells, and their body has already created antibodies against this "foregin" antigen, this can cause a hemolytic transfusion reaction (the transfused blood cells will rupture in the recipient), which can be fatal.

[–] HubertManne@moist.catsweat.com 6 points 1 week ago (2 children)

so is it some sort of type of super type O negative?

[–] blandfordforever@lemm.ee 8 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Most people are familiar with A, B, O, and Rh red cell antigens, as they are the most significant. Completely separate from this "blood group system" there are many other potentially antigenic molecules present on the red cell membrane.

[–] Xain52@lemmy.world -1 points 1 week ago

No but in a sense yes. Im to lazy and on mobile to link but most of the time those with bombay blood have to donate their own blood

[–] jordanlund@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

Didn't they discover a whole bunch of different sub-groups a few years back?

From 2022:

https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/news/nhs-scientists-discover-new-blood-group-system/

"Most people are familiar with the two main blood group systems, which are the ABO system, and the Rh- system. However there are many more blood group systems, with varying risks of a reaction. Er is the 44th blood group system to be discovered."