The H blood group system

Immunohematology. 2016 Sep;32(3):112-118.

Abstract

The H blood group system, ISBT symbol H (018), consists of a single antigen (H) defined by a terminal fucose residue found on red blood cells and in secretions formed by the action of α-1,2-fucosyltransferases 1 (α2FucT1) and 2 (α2FucT2), respectively. Mutant alleles of the corresponding FUT1 and FUT2 genes result in either a H– phenotype (Bombay phenotype, Oh) or a weak H phenotype (para-Bombay, H+w). In addition, the FUT2 gene is the molecular basis of the secretor (Se) status, and homozygosity or compound heterozygosity for null alleles is associated with the nonsecretor (se) status. H– individuals have natural anti-H (mostly IgM), which can cause severe hemolytic transfusion reactions with intravascular hemolysis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System* / genetics
  • ABO Blood-Group System* / immunology
  • Alleles
  • Antigens, Bacterial / biosynthesis
  • Antigens, Bacterial / immunology*
  • Autoantibodies / immunology
  • Blood Group Incompatibility
  • Carbohydrate Sequence
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19 / genetics
  • Erythrocytes / immunology
  • Ethnicity / genetics
  • Fucose / metabolism
  • Fucosyltransferases / genetics*
  • Galactoside 2-alpha-L-fucosyltransferase
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Glycosylation
  • Hemolysis
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin M / immunology
  • India
  • Isoantibodies / immunology
  • Mutation
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Reunion
  • Transfusion Reaction

Substances

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Autoantibodies
  • H antigen
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Isoantibodies
  • Fucose
  • Fucosyltransferases