LEWIS SYSTEM & THE BIOLOGICAL

SIGNIFICANCE

PREPARED BY:
CARRIZA DARCY G. CALO, RMT,
IMT(ASCPi)
 Lewis Antigens

 Not synthesized by RBCs

 Synthesized by tissue cells, secreted into
body fluids & plasma, & adsorbed onto the
RBC membrane
 Secretions = glyCHONs
RBC = glycolipids
 Poorly expressed at birth
 Do not demostrate dosage in serologic
reactions
 Lewis Antibodies

 Generally IgM
 Capable of binding complement
 Enhanced by enzymes
 Neutralize Lewis substance in
secretions
 Encountered in pregnant women
 Not significant in transfusion medicine
 Lewis Genes

 Le gene codes for L-fucolsyltransferase

 Le gene is needed for expression of Lea
substance; Le & Se genes are needed to
form Leb substance
 Le(a+b-) = ABH nonsecretors; have only Lea
substance in secretions
 Le(a-b+) = ABH secretors; have both Lea &
Leb substances in secretions
 Frequency

 Le(a-b+)
– Common phenotype in both whites &
blacks
 lele genotype/Le(a-b-) phenotype
– Common among blacks