Lewis blood group genetic and phenotypic diversity in a Thai population
Issued Date
2026-06-01
Resource Type
ISSN
14730502
eISSN
18781683
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105039015016
Pubmed ID
42119257
Journal Title
Transfusion and Apheresis Science
Volume
65
Issue
3
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Transfusion and Apheresis Science Vol.65 No.3 (2026)
Suggested Citation
Loetphongcharoen A., Luangtrakool K., Samung A., Suksard K., Auasatitwong S., Owattanapanich W., Kittivorapart J. Lewis blood group genetic and phenotypic diversity in a Thai population. Transfusion and Apheresis Science Vol.65 No.3 (2026). doi:10.1016/j.transci.2026.104445 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/116947
Title
Lewis blood group genetic and phenotypic diversity in a Thai population
Author's Affiliation
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background The Lewis blood group (ISBT system 007) is a plasma antigen adsorbed onto the red blood cell surface. Relatively few studies have examined the genetic characteristics and expression of this blood group or the associated secretor status in different populations. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of FUT2 and FUT3 gene variants and to investigate the Lewis phenotype and secretor status in a Thai population. Methods Lewis phenotype and secretor status were determined in 100 blood donors using serological methods, and FUT2 and FUT3 genotypes were identified using Sanger sequencing. Novel mutations were confirmed using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results Lewis phenotype distribution was Le(a−b−) 15%, Le(a−b+) 55%, Le(a+b−) 12%, and Le(a+b+) 18%, with secretor and nonsecretor frequencies of 76% and 24%, respectively. Three novel heterozygous FUT2 mutations were identified in exon 2 from 3 independent secretor samples: c.387 C'G, c.523 C'T, and c.610 G'C, all confirmed by restriction enzyme analysis. Additionally, FUT2 mutations identified included c.171 A'G, c.216 C'T, c.302 C'T, c.316 G'A, c.357 C'T, c.385 A'T, c.428 G'A, c.480 C'T, c.492 G'C, c.571 C'T, c.739 G'A, c.849 G'A, c.853 G'A, and c.960 A'G. No novel FUT3 mutations were detected; identified FUT3 variants included c.59 T ' G, c.202 T ' C, c.314 C'T, c.508 G'A, c.612 A'G, c.645 T ' C, c.732 C'T, c.882 C'T, c.974 C'T, and c.1067 T ' A. Conclusion This study identified and confirmed 3 novel FUT2 gene variants, contributing to the genetic database of FUT2 polymorphisms in the Thai population.