The VS and V blood group polymorphisms in Africans: a serologic and molecular analysis

  1. G. L. Daniels†,
  2. B.H.W. Faas‡,
  3. C. A. Green§,
  4. E. Smart,
  5. P. A. Maaskant-van Wijk‖,
  6. N. D. Avent††,
  7. H. A. Zondervan‡‡,
  8. A. E. von dem Borne§§,
  9. C. E. van der Schoot¶¶

Article first published online: 27 FEB 2003

DOI: 10.1046/j.1537-2995.1998.381098440860.x

Issue

Transfusion

Transfusion

Volume 38, Issue 10, pages 951–958, October 1998

Additional Information

How to Cite

Daniels, G. L., Faas, B., Green, C. A., Smart, E., Maaskant-van Wijk, P. A., Avent, N. D., Zondervan, H. A., von dem Borne, A. E. and van der Schoot, C. E. (1998), The VS and V blood group polymorphisms in Africans: a serologic and molecular analysis. Transfusion, 38: 951–958. doi: 10.1046/j.1537-2995.1998.381098440860.x

Author Information

  1. †

    Geoff L. Daniels, PhD, Senior Research Fellow, Bristol Institute for Transfusion Sciences, Southmead Road, Bristol, BS10 5ND UK.

  2. ‡

    Brigitte H.W. Faas, MSc, Junior Scientific Worker, Department of Experimental Hematology, Central Laboratory of the Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service and the Laboratory for Experimental and Clinical Immunology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

  3. §

    Carole A. Green, FIMBS, Research Scientist, Bristol Institute for Transfusion Sciences.

  4. Elizabeth Smart, NatDipMedTechSA, Senior Section Supervisor, Immunohaematology/Serology, The Natal Blood Transfusion Service, Pinetown, South Africa.

  5. ‖

    Petra A. Maaskant-van Wijk, PhD, Scientific Coworker, Red Cross Blood Bank Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

  6. ††

    Neil D. Avent, PhD, Section Manager, Molecular Genetics, International Blood Group Reference Laboratory, Bristol.

  7. ‡‡

    H.A. Zondervan, MD, Gynecologist, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam.

  8. §§

    Albert E.G.Kr. von dem Borne, MD, PhD, Head, Central Laboratory of the Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service and the Laboratory for Experimental and Clinical Immunology, and Professor and Head, Department of Hematology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam.

  9. ¶¶

    C. Ellen van der Schoot, MD, PhD, Head of Laboratory, Immunocytology, Central Laboratory of the Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service and the Laboratory for Experimental and Clinical Immunology, and the Department of Hematology, Academic Medical Center.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 27 FEB 2003
  2. Article first published online: 27 FEB 2003
  3. Received for publication January 13, 1998; revision received April 10, 1998, and accepted April 14, 1998

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BACKGROUND: VS and V are common red cell antigens in persons of African origin. The molecular background of these Rh system antigens is poorly understood.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Red cells from 100 black South Africans and 43 black persons from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, were typed serologically for various Rh system antigens. Allele-specific polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of polymerase chain reaction products were used to analyze C733G (Leu245Val) and G1006T (Gly336Cys) polymorphisms in exons 5 and 7 of RHCE and the presence of a D-CE hybrid exon 3.

RESULTS: The respective frequencies of all VS+ and of VS+ V-(r's) phenotypes were 43 percent and 9 percent in the South Africans and 49 percent and 12 percent in the Dutch donors. All VS+ donors had G733 (Val245), but six with G733 were VS- (4 V+w, 2 V-). The four VS- V+w donors with G733 appeared to have a CE-D hybrid exon 5. T1006 (Cys336) was present in 12 percent and 16 percent of donors from the two populations. With only a few exceptions, T1006, a D-CE hybrid exon 3, and a C410T (Ala137Val) substitution were associated with a VS+ V-phenotype ((C)ces or r's haplotype). Two VS+ V-individuals, with the probable genotype, (C)ces/(C)ces), were homozygous for G733 and for T1006.

CONCLUSIONS: It is likely that anti-VS and anti-V recognize the conformational changes created by Val245, but that anti-V is sensitive to additional conformational changes created by Cys336.

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