ABOveriryhmäantigeenit

ABOveriryhmäantigeenit refers to antigens found on the surface of red blood cells that define the ABO blood group system. These antigens are glycoproteins that are genetically determined. The most common ABO blood groups are A, B, AB, and O. Group A individuals have A antigens on their red blood cells, group B individuals have B antigens, group AB individuals have both A and B antigens, and group O individuals have neither A nor B antigens.

The presence or absence of these antigens is crucial for blood transfusions. Individuals with a certain blood group have antibodies in their plasma against the ABO antigens they lack. For example, a person with blood group A has anti-B antibodies, and a person with blood group B has anti-A antibodies. A person with blood group O has both anti-A and anti-B antibodies, making them a universal red blood cell donor, as their red blood cells can be transfused to recipients of any ABO group without agglutination. Conversely, a person with blood group AB has neither anti-A nor anti-B antibodies and can receive red blood cells from any ABO group, making them a universal recipient.

Transfusion reactions can occur if incompatible blood types are mixed, leading to the agglutination (clumping) and hemolysis (destruction) of red blood cells. This is due to the interaction between the transfused red blood cells' antigens and the recipient's antibodies. Therefore, ABO blood typing is a standard procedure before any blood transfusion to ensure compatibility and patient safety. Beyond transfusions, ABO antigens also play roles in certain immune responses and have been associated with various diseases.