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Modifying the red cell surface: towards an ABO-universal blood supply

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Author

Summary, in English

Eliminating the risk for ABO-incompatible transfusion errors and simplifying logistics by creating a universal blood inventory is a challenging idea. Goldstein and co-workers pioneered the field of enzymatic conversion of blood group A and B red blood cells (RBCs) to O (ECO). Using alpha-galactosidase from coffee beans to produce B-ECO RBCs, proof of principle for this revolutionary concept was achieved in clinical trials. However, because this enzyme has poor kinetic properties and low pH optimum the process was not economically viable. Conversion of group A RBCs was only achieved with the weak A(2) subgroup with related enzymes having acidic pH optima. More recently, the identification of entirely new families of bacterial exoglycosidases with remarkably improved kinetic properties for cleaving A and B antigens has reinvigorated the field. Enzymatic conversion of groups A, B and AB RBCs with these novel enzymes resulting in ECO RBCs typing as O can now be achieved with low enzyme protein consumption, short incubation times and at neutral pH. Presently, clinical trials evaluating safety and efficacy of ECO RBCs are ongoing. Here, we review the status of the ECO technology, its impact and potential for introduction into clinical component preparation laboratories.

Publishing year

2008

Language

English

Pages

3-12

Publication/Series

British Journal of Haematology

Volume

140

Issue

1

Document type

Journal article review

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell

Topic

  • Hematology

Keywords

  • glycosidase
  • ABO blood group
  • transfusion
  • carbohydrate antigens
  • red cell

Status

Published

Research group

  • Transfusion Medicine

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0007-1048