ABO blood group polymorphism has an impact on prostate, kidney and bladder cancer in association with longevity

Distribution of ABO blood groups and Rh factor in benign and malign thyroid nodules

Aim: Many factors affect the diagnostic value of the fine-needle aspiration biopsy applied for these thyroid nodules. I aimed to investigate whether one of these factors would be ABO blood groups and Rh factor and examine the relationship of these factors with the Bethesda categorization. Additionally, I aimed to evaluate ABO blood groups and Rh factors in patients with thyroid cancer. Material and Method: This study was planned in a cross-sectional retrospective design. The data of the patients were obtained from the hospital data bank. In the analysis of 801 patients following the acceptance criteria, 412 patient data were obtained. Patients were divided into 4 (O, A, B, and AB groups) according to their blood groups and analyzed for nodules (solitary/ multinodular). Nodules were divided into malignant and benign, according to histopathological diagnosis, and all were analyzed. Results: There was no difference in analyzing the demographic data according to the blood groups. The rates of the FNAB history were 51 (32.3%), 39 (24.2%), 14 (26.4%), and 13 (32.5%) in the same order of blood groups (p=0.393). In the analysis of the nodule type, multinodular did not differ from solitary nodules among the blood groups [O: 141 (89.2%); A:140(87%), B: 46(86.8%), and AB: 35(87.5%)]. Thyroid function status (euthyroid, hypothyroid, or hyperthyroid) was similar for all the blood groups (p=0.815). The O-group had 1 (0.6%) patient with Bethesda score-6, and the A-group had 2 (1.2%) patients with Bethesda score-6. For Bethesda score-5, per blood group had 2 patients. The histopathological distribution of malign nodules (p=0.782) is as follows: O-groups: 6 (33.3%) (Rh+:27%; Rh-:5,5%), A groups: 7(63,6%) (Rh+:54,5%; Rh-:0,9%), B groups: 2(20%)(Rh+:20%; Rh-:0%) and AB groups: 1(33%) (Rh+:33%) Rh-:0%). Conclusion: Malign nodule rate was highest in the A-group and lowest in the B groups, although it did not differ in the overall analysis. No relationship was found between the Bethesda categorization of nodules, their sizes, type of nodules, type of thyroid cancer, and ABO blood groups.

Identification and replication of novel genetic variants of ABO gene to reduce the incidence of diseases and promote longevity by modulating lipid homeostasis

Genes related to human longevity have not been studied so far, and need to be investigated thoroughly. This study aims to explore the relationship among ABO gene variants, lipid levels, and longevity phenotype in individuals (≥90yrs old) without adverse outcomes. A genotype-phenotype study was performed based on 5803 longevity subjects and 7026 younger controls from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Four ABO gene variants associated with healthy longevity (rs8176719 C, rs687621 G, rs643434 A, and rs505922 C) were identified and replicated in the CLHLS GWAS data analysis and found significantly higher in longevity individuals than controls. The Bonferroni adjusted p-value and OR range were 0.013-0.020 and 1.126-1.151, respectively. According to the results of linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis, the above four variants formed a block on the ABO gene (D’=1, r²_range = 0.585-0.995). The carriers with genotypes rs687621 GG, rs643434 AX, or rs505922 CX (p_range = 2.728 x 10^-107-5.940 x 10^-14; OR_range = 1.004-4.354) and haplotype CGAC/XGXX (p = 2.557 x 10^-27; OR = 2.255) had a substantial connection with longevity, according to the results of genetic model analysis. Following the genotype and metabolic phenotype analysis, it has been shown that the longevity individuals with rs687621 GG, rs643434 AX, and rs505922 CX had a positive association with HDL-c, LDL-c, TC, TG (p_range = 2.200 x 10^-5-0.036, OR_range = 1.546-1.709), and BMI normal level (p_range = 2.690 x 10^-4-0.026, OR_range = 1.530-1.997). Finally, two pathways involving vWF/ADAMTS13 and the inflammatory markers (sE-selectin/ICAM1) that co-regulated lipid levels by glycosylation and effects on each other were speculated. In conclusion, the association between the identified longevity-associated ABO variants and better health lipid profile was elucidated, thus the findings can help in maintaining normal lipid metabolic phenotypes in the longevity population.

ABO blood group antigen therapy: a potential new strategy against solid tumors

The economic burden of tumors is increasing, so there is an urgent need to develop new therapies for their treatment. Killing tumors by activating complement is an effective strategy for the treatment. We used the ABO blood group system and the corresponding antibodies to activate the killer cell capacity of the complement system. After the construction of a mouse model containing blood group A antibodies and inoculating colorectal cancer and breast cancer cells into the axillae of the mice, intratumoural injection using a lentivirus carrying a blood group antigen as a drug significantly reduced the tumor volume of the mice. Compared with the control group, the content of the C5b-9 complement membrane attack complex in the tumors of mice treated with the blood group A antigen was significantly increased, and the proportion of NK cells was also significantly increased. In vitro cell-based experiments proved that tumor cells expressing blood group A antigens showed significantly inhibited cell proliferation when added to serum containing blood group A antibodies. These results all prove that the ABO blood group antigen may become a powerful tool for the treatment of tumors in patients.

Relationship between blood group and risk of infection and death in COVID-19: a live meta-analysis

The relationship between ABO blood group and the incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and death has been investigated in several studies. The reported results were controversial, so the objective of the present study was to assess the relationship between different blood groups and the onset and mortality of COVID-19 infection using a meta-analysis method. We searched relevant databases using appropriate MeSH terms. We screened articles on the bases of titles, abstracts and full text, and articles that met the inclusion criteria were selected. Quality assessment was done with the Newcastle-Ottawa scale checklist. The estimated frequency of COVID-19 infection and death in terms of ABO blood group and the overall estimate of the odds ratio between blood group with COVID-19 infection and death was calculated with 95% confidence interval. The pooled frequency of blood groups A, B, O and AB among COVID-19-infected individuals was estimated as 36.22%, 24.99%, 29.67% and 9.29% respectively. The frequency of blood groups A, B, O and AB among patients who died of COVID-19 infection was estimated as 40%, 23%, 29% and 8% respectively. The odds ratio of COVID-19 infection for blood group A versus the other blood groups was estimated as 1.16 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02-1.33). The corresponding figures for blood groups O and AB versus other blood groups were estimated as 0.73 (95% CI, 0.60-0.88) and 1.25 (95% CI, 0.84-1.86) respectively. This meta-analysis showed that individuals with blood group A are at higher risk for COVID-19 infection while those with blood group O are at lower risk. Although the odds ratio of death for AB blood group was nonsignificant, it was considerable.

Correlation between Preoperative Anxiety and ABO Blood Types: Evidence from a Clinical Cross-Sectional Study

Gene-environment interaction is identified as the determinant in anxiety. ABO blood types represent a part of the genetic phenotype. Therefore, we assume ABO blood types correlate with preoperative anxiety. This cross-sectional study enrolled 352 patients with different ABO blood types, scheduled for elective surgery between 2018 and 2019 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University. HADS (hospital anxiety and depression scale) scores and VA (visual analogue scales for anxiety) scores were all used to assess the preoperative anxiety in the A, B, AB, and O groups. Bivariate correlation and logistic regression were performed to identify relationships between preoperative anxiety and related variables. A significant difference in VA and HADS-A (anxiety) scores was found between the AB and other groups. The ratio of preoperative anxiety was 3.73 (95% CI [confidence interval]: 2.32-6.00, P < 0.001) times in female than in male; 0.36 (95% CI: 0.21-0.63, P < 0.001) times in ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) grade II than in grade I; 0.41 (95% CI: 0.20-0.86, P < 0.05) times in ASA grade III than in grade I; 1.25 (95% CI: 1.1-1.41, P < 0.001) times in higher VAS (visual analogue scales for pain) scores than in lower VAS scores; and 0.28 (95% CI: 0.16-0.49, P < 0.01) times in non-AB blood type than in AB blood type. Differences in ABO blood types were found in preoperative anxiety, and the AB group displayed a high preoperative anxiety level. ABO blood types, sex, ASA grade, and VAS were associated with preoperative anxiety. This trial is registered with ChiCTR1800019390.

CLINICAL, HEMATOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND POLYMORPHISM OF ABO AND Rh BLOOD GROUP SYSTEMS IN PLASMA CELL MYELOMA PATIENTS

Objective to study the peculiarities of clinical characteristics and polymorphism of ABO and Rh blood group systemsin relation to the natural history of plasma cell myeloma in the ChNPP accident survivors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Peculiarities of the disease natural history were reviewed in the 111 plasma cell myeloma(PCM) patients receiving medical management at the Department of Radiation Oncohematology of the NRCRM dur-ing 2010-2017. Principal clinical and laboratory characteristics of PCM, namely the values/levels of LDH, β2-mic-roglobulin, albumin, serum calcium, urea, creatinine and hemoglobin were assessed, taking into account the gender,radiation history (ChNPP accident clean-up workers, evacuees from areas of obligatory resettlement, inhabitants ofcontaminated territories, and the comparison group) and the PCM stage codenamed by Durie-Salmon et al. (1975)and the ISS (1985) classifications. Distribution of polymorphic variants on ABO and Rh blood systems was studiedin the 106 PCM patients.

RESULTS

It was found that the level of β2-micro-globulin and calcium was increased significantly in male (p = 0.02and p = 0.04, respectively), whereas serum urea content was elevated in female (p = 0.04) PCM patients featuring acompromised radiation anamnesis in comparison to non-irradiated patients. Some probable differences were foundfor urea level (F = 3.58, p = 0.05) and serum albumin (F = 4.00, p = 0.05) in the examined group of PCM patients.Probable (p < 0.05) incidence increase of the B phenotype was established as a predictor of complicated natural his-tory of PCM with abnormal genetic equilibrium resulted from the increased incidence of IB allele in chronic renal fail-ure (CRF) patients. Significant (p < 0.05) prolongation of the remission period upon a standard PCT application wasfound in PCM patients being the A phenotype carriers having a preserved gene and phenotypic equilibrium comparedwith carriers of O and B phenotypes.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical and hematological parameters are different in PCM patients survived after the ChNPP accidentand those with favorable radiation history. Distribution of polymorphic variants of ABO antigenic structures inpatients with complicated natural history of the disease is also different, that can be a background for predictingthe effectiveness of treatment. Further research is required in this field.