Genomic typing of human red cell Miltenberger glycophorins in a Taiwanese population

BACKGROUND: Antigens in the human red cell Miltenberger series are glycopho rin variants of the MN (MNS) blood group system that are due to the rearran gement of glycophorin A (GPA) and glycophorin B (GPB) genes. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Taking advantage of the differences between the G PA and GPB genes, a polymerase chain reaction-based method was developed to detect all the Miltenberger glycophorin variants and St(a) subtype. GPA- a nd GPB-specific primers were used to amplify the GPA or GPB gene, and the a mplified products were used to recognize the different hybrid genes after r estriction enzyme digestions. RESULTS: Among 264 Taiwanese subjects studied, Mi.III and St(a) are the mos t common types of Miltenberger variants found. Mi.III was present in 13 (4. 92%) of 264, and St(a) was found in 8 (3.03%) of 264; 1 case (0.4%) of Mi.V was also identified from the study group. CONCLUSION: This is the first polymerase chain reaction-based method of det ecting most of the Miltenberger variants and St(a). The genomic typing resu lts were confirmed by control DNA of identified Miltenberger phenotypes. Th e prevalence rates of Mi.III and St(a) in this study were also consistent w ith other previous reports using different methods.