An Overview of Lewis Blood Group
Malojirao Bhosale
Department of Forensic Biology, Institute of Forensic Science, 15, Madame Cama Rd., Mumbai-400032, Maharashtra, India.
A. D. Harkal *
New Arts, Commerce and Science College, Ahmednagar, India.
S. A. Kawade
R. B. Narayanrao Borawake College, Shrirampur, District Ahmednagar - 413 709, Maharashtra, India.
Neha Vishe
Department of Forensic Biology, Institute of Forensic Science, 15, Madame Cama Rd., Mumbai-400032, Maharashtra, India.
Rohitha Davuluri
Department of Forensic Biology, Institute of Forensic Science, 15, Madame Cama Rd., Mumbai-400032, Maharashtra, India.
Devyani Parkhe
Department of Forensic Biology, Institute of Forensic Science, 15, Madame Cama Rd., Mumbai-400032, Maharashtra, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This review summarises the history of the Lewis blood group, the inheritance and biochemistry of Lewis antigens and antibodies, and their clinical significance. Lewis antigens are found on RBCs, other tissues like the pancreas, stomach, intestine, etc., and bodily fluids like saliva. Two independent genes, FUT2 and FUT3, synthesise fucosyltransferases, which determine Lewis blood group genotypes. There are six genotypes (Lea, Leb, Leab, LebH, Aleb, BLeb) and four phenotypes [Le (a+b+), Le (a+b-), Le (a-b+), Le (a-b-)]. Two red-cell Lewis blood groups are Lewis negative and Lewis positive. As Lewis antigens are soluble and can be neutralised by recipient antibodies, Lewis antibodies are deemed insignificant. Clinically, Lewis antigens are associated with coronary heart disease, ischemic heart disease, rotavirus, Helicobacter pylori infection, etc.
Keywords: Lewis blood group, Lewis antigens, Lewis antibodies, FUT2, FUT3, coronary heart disease and Ischemic heart disease