Lewis histo-blood group system phenotyping and genotyping reveal divergence in the association of Le(a-b-) phenotype and type 1 diabetes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The red blood cell Le(a-b-) phenotype was proposed as risk factor for type 1 diabetes, but contradictory results were published elsewhere. This study re-examined the potential association between Lewis histo-blood group system and type 1 diabetes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients and controls of both sexes, Caucasians and non-Caucasians, matched by sex, geographical origin and ethnicity were evaluated. The red blood cell Lewis phenotypes were identified by gel column agglutination and also inferred from the FUT2 and FUT3 genotyping.

RESULTS: The Le(a-b-) phenotype was prevalent in patients with type 1 diabetes, and the Le(a-b+) phenotype was prevalent in controls when both were determined by gel columns agglutination. No differences were observed in the frequencies of the Le(a-b-) phenotype inferred from the FUT2 and FUT3 genotyping between patients and controls.

CONCLUSIONS: The Lewis red blood cell phenotyping and genotyping reveal divergence in the association of Le(a-b-) phenotype and type 1 diabetes.