Antigenic Relations of Blood Group Antigens as Suggested by Tests with Lectins

Abstract

An examination of some of the unusual specificities exhibited by certain plant agglutinins (lectins) suggests considerable chemical and antigenic similarities among the A1, A2, B and O (H) blood group substances. These lectins are also capable of acting as specific precipitins, and analysis of precipitates made with specific substances shows that purification by ethanol-water fractionation has produced preparations of which over 30% of the nitrogen is specifically active. Practical application of some of these preparations in the routine diagnosis of subgroups is suggested.