WES, a ‘New’ Infrequent Blood Group Antigen in Finns

Abstract

A previously unrecognized infrequent blood group antigen WES occurs with a frequency of 0.56% in the Finnish population, but has an ethnically restricted distribution. Apart from Finns it was found only in 2 donors, most likely of African origin, among 4,655 people tested who represented many different ethnic groups. WES is shown to be a dominant autosomally inherited character different from previously published infrequent antigens. The data allow exclusion from almost all established blood group systems. The WES antigen is destroyed by enzymes α-chymotrypsin and pronase. It is also present in plasma of WES+ individuals. Evidence suggests that the soluble form of the antigen is a high molecular weight protein constituent of plasma. Unlike many other antigens present on red cells as well as in plasma, the WES antigen is well developed on red cells of neonates and can also be found in cord serum.

A ‘New’ Cromer-Related High Frequency Antigen Probably Antithetical to WES

“…The red cells of Wash, are WES+ and appear to be serologically identical with those of a possible WES+ homozygote described by Sistonen et al [1]. Also, Wash, antibody reacted more strongly in titration with WEScells than with WES+ cells.…”

“…Sistonen et al [1] showed that WES is present in 0.55-0.60% of Finns but was not found in any other European donors tested. Two of 392 USA donors were WES+: both were probably Black.…”

“…Wash, antibody was inhibited by concentrated sera from WESWash+ individuals but not by WES+ Wash-serum. Sistonen et al [1] showed that anti-WES is inhibited by 5 times concentrated WES+, but not WES-, serum.…”

“…is the WES+ Finnish mother of 6 WES+ and no WESchildren described by Sistonen et al [1], Cells of Hel. consistently scored higher than those of obligate WES* heterozygotes in titrations with 3 anti-WES sera [ 1 ]. No atypical antibodies were detected in Hel.…”

“…A new infrequent blood group antigen, WES, present in about 1 in every 200 Finns, was described by Sistonen et al [1], The cells of a possible WES* homozygote, a WES+ mother all of whose 6 children were WES+, were tested against antibodies to high frequency antigens: one antibody failed to react. This antibody is Cromer-related since it failed to react with Inab phenotype cells [2], The cells of the antibody maker were subsequently found to be WES+.…”