Enzymes from intestinal bacteria could pave the way to universal donor blood
Researchers have successfully removed the blood group antigens from erythrocytes with the help of bacterial enzymes and speak of universal blood.
(Bild: piyaphong / shutterstock.com)
Scientists at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and Lund University in Sweden have used enzymes from the common intestinal bacterium "Akkermansia muciniphila" to remove A and B antigens from the surface of red blood cells. They have thus enzymatically converted blood into group 0 donor blood. This is a significant step towards universal blood for transfusions, according to a statement from the DTU.
A person's blood group is determined by the presence or absence of A and B antigens on the sugar chains of the erythrocyte surface. During a transfusion, the donor and recipient must have compatible blood groups; otherwise the immune system will destroy the foreign blood cells and trigger a potentially fatal reaction.
Bacterial enzymes enable high efficiency
The researchers tested 24 enzymes produced by A. muciniphila on hundreds of blood samples. Some proved to be highly efficient at converting group A and B blood into group 0 universal blood. "We are close to being able to produce universal blood from group B donors, while work is still needed to convert the more complex group A blood," says co-author Maher Abou Hachem from DTU's Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine.
Universal 0 blood from all donors would simplify the logistics of blood transfusions, prevent mistransfusions and minimize blood waste, according to the researchers. "If ABO-universal donor blood can be produced, it would make the transportation and administration of safe blood products more efficient," explained co-author Martin Olsson from Lund University.
Experts still see unanswered questions
Despite the potential of the approach, there are still too many unanswered questions according to experts, reports the Deutsches Ärzteblatt. Markus M. Müller from the DRK blood donation service in Frankfurt explained to the Ärzteblatt that a closed system has been used for decades to avoid bacterial contamination. He pointed out that the addition of enzymes from intestinal bacteria could lead to life-threatening anaphylactic reactions. In addition, these enzymes would have to be removed from the blood afterwards, which could affect the quality and shelf life of the red blood cells.
Müller also emphasized that it is not correct to speak of universal blood, as there are hundreds of other blood groups in addition to the ABO system. He conceded that the approach was interesting from a scientific and healthcare perspective, but that it was not yet fully developed for clinical application and still had a long way to go. The Danish researchers have applied for a patent on the method. They plan to conduct further studies over the next three and a half years before moving on to controlled patient studies. The study was published in the journal Nature Microbiology.
(mack)
