MNveriryhmä

MNveriryhmä is a Finnish term that translates to "MN blood group" or "MN blood group system". It refers to a specific set of inherited antigens found on the surface of red blood cells. These antigens are determined by alleles of a gene, with the primary alleles being M and N. Individuals can therefore have one of three possible genotypes: MM, NN, or MN. These genotypes correspond to three main phenotypes: group M, group N, and group MN.

The MN blood group system is distinct from the ABO blood group system, though both are important in blood transfusion compatibility. The MN antigens were discovered by Karl Landsteiner and Philip Levine in 1927. Unlike some other blood group systems, antibodies against the MN antigens are not typically found naturally in the blood. They are usually only produced after exposure to foreign MN antigens, such as through blood transfusion or pregnancy.

The MN blood group system is of anthropological interest as the frequencies of the M and N alleles can vary significantly among different populations. This variation has been used in studies of human migration and population genetics. While not as critical as ABO matching for routine transfusions, understanding a patient's MN type can be important in certain clinical situations, particularly in obstetrics to prevent hemolytic disease of the newborn if an Rh-negative mother has developed antibodies to the MN antigens inherited from an Rh-positive father.