The Hh blood group contains one antigen, the H antigen, which is found on virtually all RBCs and is the building block for the production of the antigens within the ABO blood group. H antigendeficiency is known as the "Bombay phenotype" because it founds mostly in Indian People.
If both parents have Hh combination of alleles for antigen H then, their child may produce hh alleles and is unable to produce the antigens of ABO blood group.
The Kell blood group
The Kell blood group system is complex and contains many antigens that are highly immunogenic. These antigens are the third most potent, after those of the ABO and Rh blood groups, at triggering an immune reaction. There are 25 antigens and the most important one is antigen K that leads to hemolytic reaction during transfusion.
It creates active endothelin-3 which is a potent constrictor of blood vessels. Anti-Kell antibodies are usually of the antibody class IgG.
The Kidd blood group
The Kidd (JK) glycoprotein is the red blood cell (RBC) urea transporter. It is situated in the membrane it rapidly transports urea into and out of RBCs, maintaining the osmotic stability and shape of the RBC in the process.
It has 3 antigens which are Jk1 (Jka), Jk2 (Jkb) and Jk3. Anti-Kidd antibodies are also a cause of hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN).
The Diego blood group
The antigens of the Diego blood group are carried on an important protein, called the band 3 protein,which lies in the red blood cell membrane. This protein is a chloride/bicarbonate exchanger involved in carbon dioxide transport from tissues to lungs.
There are 21 antigens and among of which Dia, Dib, and Wraare the most significant. Many mutations can occur in the gene that encodes the Diego antigens. These mutations can result in RBCs with an abnormal membrane
The MNS blood group
The antigens of the MNS blood group are carried on sugar-bearing proteins called glycophorins. These are found in the red blood cell (RBC) membrane. One end of a glycophorin is attached to the underlying cell, and the other end bears the sugars and determines a person's MNS blood type
It has 42 antigens which includes M, N, S, and s. Glycophorins A and B may serve as receptors for cytokines, bacteria, and viruses. MNS blood group antigens may act as a receptor for Plasmodium falciparum. This is a parasite that causes malaria in humans.
References:
Reid ME and Lomas-Francis C. The Blood Group Antigen Facts Book. Second ed. 2004, New York: Elsevier Academic Press.
Avent ND , Reid ME . The Rh blood group system: a review. Blood. 2000
Mohandas N , Narla A . Blood group antigens in health and disease. Curr Opin Hematol. 2005
Stayboldt C , Rearden A , Lane TA . B antigen acquired by normal A1 red cells exposed to a patient's serum. Transfusion. 1987.
Daniels G. Human Blood Groups, Second ed. 2002, Blackwell Science.
