Transformation of the Lewis Groups of Human Red Cells

IN general, the blood-group antigens appear to form a permanent part of the human red cell in vivo ; they persist throughout the life of the cell not only under normal conditions, but also after transfusion into the circulation of a recipient with a different set of antigens. Moreover, antigens characteristic of the recipient do not appear upon the transfused cells. These statements have been shown to be true for the ABO, MNS, Rh, Lutheran, Kell, Duffy and Kidd antigens; but the Lewis antigens have not previously been investigated in this respect.