A study on weak D and the function of the Rh complex in red blood cells

Rhesus (Rh) is the most complex of the blood group systems. In this general introduction several aspects of Rh are described. The immunogenicity is responsible for its discovery and establishes its clinical importance. Subsequently the following characteristics of the Rh complex are described: the molecular basis of the Rh blood group system, the membrane organisation of the Rh proteins, Rh-complex formation, association of the Rh complex to the membrane skeleton, and the development and distribution of the Rh polypeptides. With regard to this thesis, much emphasis is given to the variation in expression of Rh. This variation in expression of Rh is not only between the different phenotypes (qualitative versus quantitative), but also between ethnic groups (prevalence of certain phenotypes). To understand the development of a protein like Rh, processing from DNA to membrane protein is described. And a transfection model, mimicking the RBC, was used to follow this process. Insight in the function of Rh proteins might also be informative for the complexity of the Rh blood group system (and vice versa).