Two novel weak D types found in Chinese individuals

Objective To identify and confirm 2 new weak D types found in Chinese individuals.Methods Two samples with weakened expression of RhD antigen were collected from voluntary blood donors from Shanghai Blood Center.Routine Rh typing reagents were used for determination of serological types.D-screen kit was used to analyze the RhD epitopes of the samples.All the RHD exons were sequenced,and RHD zygosity was determined.PCR-SSP based methods were used for genotyping of the new weak D types.Results Two novel RHD alleles,RHD(R10P) and RHD(A414V) were found separately in two donors with weak D phenotypes.The results of analysis of the RhD epitopes are coincident with weak D phenotypes.A PCR-SSP based assay for detection of each novel allele was established.Conclusion The 2 novel weak D types were found in the Chinese population and the molecular bases of new weak D phenotypes were briefly clarified.