About this Research Topic
This Research Topic focuses on anti-red blood cell (RBC) antibodies, which are clinically relevant for transfusion medicine, pregnancy, transplants, cancer, and autoimmunity. RBCs are critically important for tissue oxygenation; reduced RBC lifespan, production, or functional capacity results in anemia, adversely affecting human health. There are 36 defined human blood groups, comprising >350 antigens, with large heterogeneity among individuals regarding antigen polymorphisms, expression levels, and tissue distribution. Additionally, some antigens are immunogenic and elicit strong immune responses, resulting in antibody production. Anti-RBC antibodies are clinically significant and can facilitate accelerated RBC clearance, hemolysis, and antigen modulation. These antibodies may also be transplant barriers, prevent life-saving transfusions, induce hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), and can even result in death. Additionally, anti-RBC antibodies present significant challenges in management of patients, not only due to the adverse events, but also because they critically reduce the availability of compatible RBC units, thereby making transfusion support more difficult and jeopardizing patient health. Thus, generation of anti-RBC antibodies is an important medical problem.
Although the effects of anti-RBC antibodies are well documented, additional research is needed to comprehensively define the factors and pathways involved in generating anti-RBC antibodies. These studies will provide key insights needed to fill in our current knowledge gaps, thereby enabling design of effective and targeted therapeutics to prevent and/or treat patients with anti-RBC antibodies. Thus, this Research Topic will include articles on anti-RBC antibodies in two settings:
(1) as autoantibodies in autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA)
(2) as alloantibodies following RBC antigen exposure
The Research Topic’s goal is to gain insight into fundamental questions regarding how anti-RBC antibodies arise, by addressing mechanisms, pathways, and risk factors. Submission of manuscripts addressing prophylactic or therapeutic measures in the setting of anti-RBC antibodies is also encouraged.
Although the effects of anti-RBC antibodies are well documented, additional research is needed to comprehensively define the factors and pathways involved in generating anti-RBC antibodies. These studies will provide key insights needed to fill in our current knowledge gaps, thereby enabling design of effective and targeted therapeutics to prevent and/or treat patients with anti-RBC antibodies. Thus, this Research Topic will include articles on anti-RBC antibodies in two settings:
(1) as autoantibodies in autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA)
(2) as alloantibodies following RBC antigen exposure
The Research Topic’s goal is to gain insight into fundamental questions regarding how anti-RBC antibodies arise, by addressing mechanisms, pathways, and risk factors. Submission of manuscripts addressing prophylactic or therapeutic measures in the setting of anti-RBC antibodies is also encouraged.
Keywords: RBC alloimmunization, RBC alloantibodies, RBC autoantibodies, Autoimmune hemolytic anemia, Transfusion
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
