N-glycolylneuraminic acid and N-acetylneuraminic acid define feline blood group A and B antigens

Abstract

Blood group incompatibility causes transfusion reactions and neonatal isoerythrolysis in cats. We investigated the molecular nature of the blood group antigens from cats that had blood type A, B, and AB erythrocytes. Naturally occurring anti-type B antibodies, Triticum vulgaris lectin, monoclonal antibody (MoAb) 32–27, and MoAb R-24 were used in agglutination tests, Western blots, and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) enzyme immunostaining. Type A erythrocytes had NeuGc-NeuGc-Galactose-Glucose-Ceramide ([NeuGc]2GD3) where NeuGc represents N-glycolylneuraminic acid, and NeuAc-NeuGc-GD3, where NeuAc represents N-acetylneuraminic acid, and may have [NeuGc]2 disialylparagloboside and NeuAc-NeuGc-disialylparagloboside. Type B erythrocytes only had [NeuAc]2GD3. Type AB erythrocytes had [NeuGc]2GD3, NeuAc-NeuGc-GD3, and [NeuAc]2GD3. Blood group antigens were also found on a 50-Kd membrane protein. We conclude that type B erythrocytes are characterized by [NeuAc]2GD3 as the only form of this ganglioside and the presence of NeuAc on a 50-Kd membrane protein. NeuGc is the major determinant of the A antigen; specifically, [NeuGc]2GD3 is the major glycolipid form. The A antigen is also present on a 50-Kd membrane protein.

Feline blood genotyping versus phenotyping, and detection of non‐AB blood type incompatibilities in UK cats

“…These different blood types arise due to differences in the neuraminic acid residues present on the erythrocyte surface; type A cats primarily have glycolylneuraminic acid (NeuGc) plus a small amount of acetylneuraminic acid (NeuAc), whilst type B cats have only NeuAc (Andrews et al . ). The rare type AB cats have both NeuGc and NeuAc on the surface of their erythrocytes in roughly equal amounts (Andrews et al .…”

Comparison of gel column agglutination with monoclonal antibodies and card agglutination methods for assessing the feline AB group system and a frequency study of feline blood types in northern Italy

“…Type B cats express only (NeuAc)–galactose–glucose–ceramide, whereas type A cats express only (NeuGc)–galactose–glucose–ceramide; type AB cats express equal amounts of disialogangliosides containing NeuAc or NeuGc. The different glycolipids are the basis for agglutination tests used in blood‐typing 2 …”

Frequency of blood type A, B, and AB in 515 domestic shorthair cats from the Lisbon area

“…Type‐A antigen is characterized by gangliosides expressing both N ‐glycolyl‐neuraminic acid (NeuGc) and N ‐acetyl‐neuraminic acid (NeuAc) or NeuAc alone as well as the enzyme CMP‐N‐acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase that converts NeuAc to NeuGc 5,6 . Homozygous (genotype A/A) and heterozygous (genotype A/B) type A cats differ slightly in the quantity of these disialogangliosides 6 .…”

“…Homozygous (genotype A/A) and heterozygous (genotype A/B) type A cats differ slightly in the quantity of these disialogangliosides 6 . Conversely, type‐B antigen determinant is exclusively composed of NeuAc 5–7 . Finally, type‐AB erythrocytes have equal amounts of NeuAc and NeuGc, as well as 2 intermediate forms of gangliosides 6 .…”