Group O D-negative blood cells are universal donors in transfusion medicine and methods for converting other blood groups into this universal donor group have been researched. However, conversion of D-positive cells into D-negative is yet to be achieved, although conversion of group A or B cells into O cells has been reported. The Rh D blood group is determined by the RHD gene, which encodes a 12-transmembrane domain protein. Here we convert Rh D-positive erythroid progenitor cells into D-negative cells using RHD-targeting transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs). After transfection of TALEN-encoding plasmids, RHD-knockout clones are obtained. Erythroid-lineage cells differentiated from these knockout erythroid progenitor cells do not agglutinate in the presence of anti-D reagents and do not express D antigen, as assessed using flow cytometry. Our programmable nuclease-induced blood group conversion opens new avenues for compatible donor cell generation in transfusion medicine.
Ending the blood shortages for O negatives is important. Be it with an artificial blood substitute or… what seems to be a way to change blood types into O negative blood. Remember that I have posted about blood types changing before where enzymes “ate” the antigen?
As you can see, this is from a BBC article. I am posting a link from the Twitter masking to it, but I am warning you not to click on it. https://t.co/bWg7xYmjz8
Why? View a BBC.co.uk cookie search showing a total of around 400 cookies being installed on your computer if you click. This should be criminal, but of course, in the UK where cell phone tapping has been considered not that big of a deal, this will not likely ever be prosecuted.
As usual, the BBC doesn’t bother sharing the source of the official study. I will add it when I have more time to search for it. How about you? Can you search for it and link to it below?
