A new leukocyte iso-antigen system has been described by two investigators at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Using antisera from nontransfused, multiparous women, Walter F. Bodmer, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Genetics, and Rose Payne, PhD, senior research associate, Department of Medicine, have been able to describe a new three-allele system.
This system differs from van Rood's group 4. Van Rood, from Holland, reported the first white cell antigen system in 1962. His group 4 system, at present, appears to contain only two alleles, 4a and 4b.
"The new system is reminiscent of the A-B-0 blood group system for red cells, in that it has three components and possibly more," Payne, recipient of the 1964 John Elliot Memorial Award of the American Association of Blood Banks, told The Journal.
"We have called this system the LA system," Payne said, "L for leukocyte to distinguish it from red cells, and A