Blood cell immunology: antigens and antibodies of cellular blood component

Cellular blood components include red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells. Each cell type expresses distinct antigenic structures on its surface membrane, which form the basis of immune recognition and compatibility testing. Correct understanding of these antigen systems is essential for safe transfusion practice, successful organ transplantation, and accurate diagnosis of immunohematologic disorders. Alloantibodies to blood cell antigens usually arise after sensitizing events such as transfusion, pregnancy, or transplantation. These antibodies—most commonly immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG)—may activate complement and contribute to cellular destruction, leading to outcomes ranging from reduced component efficacy to severe transfusion reactions and neonatal immune cytopenias. This Research Topic aims to provide an updated, clinically focused forum on antigens and antibodies across cellular blood components, integrating laboratory science with patient-centered outcomes. We welcome contributions that improve understanding of antigen systems, mechanisms of alloimmunization, and antibody-mediated cellular injury, and that translate this knowledge into better prevention, diagnosis, and management of immune complications. Key goals include clarifying the clinical significance of antibodies to red blood cell, platelet, and granulocyte antigens; optimizing testing strategies and interpretation; and highlighting emerging tools (e.g., molecular typing and advanced immunohematology methods) that strengthen compatibility assessment and risk prediction. Collectively, the Topic seeks to support evidence-based approaches that improve transfusion safety, component selection, and care of patients at risk for alloimmune complications.The scope includes red blood cell antigen/antibody systems (ISBT blood groups and clinically significant antibodies associated with hemolytic transfusion reactions and hemolytic disease of the newborn), platelet antigens and antibodies (HPA and HLA class I; neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, post-transfusion purpura, and platelet refractoriness), and granulocyte antigens and antibodies (HNA; neonatal alloimmune neutropenia and transfusion-related acute lung injury [TRALI]). Submissions may include original research, brief research reports, reviews, methods papers, and clinically oriented studies relevant to transfusion medicine and immunohematology. Authors should clearly state clinical context, testing approaches, and antibody significance, and provide practical implications for compatibility assessment and patient management. Topic editors: Gopal Kumar Patidar, Vijay Kumawat, James C Zimring Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77374/blood-cell-immunology-antigens-and-antibodies-of-cellular-blood-component