After the introduction of the indirect antiglobulin technique by Coombs in the middle of the 1940's, several antibodies have been discovered. Duffy blood group system came to light when Cutbush and Ikin detected the first antibodies related to this system in the beginning of the 1950's. The antibodies of this system are clinically significant in transfusional practice as they have been involved in hemolytic transfusion reactions and hemolytic disease of the newborn, showing them to be of worldwide occurrence. The FY gene is constituted of two exons and its locus was mapped on chromosome 1q22-q23. The Fyª and Fy b antigens are encoded by FYA and FYB alleles, and are responsible for the Fy(a+b-), Fy(a-b+) and Fy(a+b+) phenotypes. They are carried by a 336 amino acid glycoprotein called DARC (Duffy Antigen/Receptor for Chemokines) which has high affinity to chemokines, also being Plasmodium vivax receptors. The polymorphisms related to its alleles have led to the development of a PCR genotyping technique, which is useful for the safety of blood transfusion, and determining fetus-maternal incompatibilities. In the last decade, much research has been done to determine the biological role of blood group antigens. In this paper we reviewed the Duffy Blood Group System, especially in respect to transfusional practice and biological functions.
Duffy blood group system; DARC; chemokines; malaria; DUFFY gene
