Lewis A/B Antibodies

Target Information

Lewis A and Lewis B are fucose-containing carbohydrates that are expressed on the surface of red blood cells and other tissues in the body. These carbohydrates are part of the larger family of molecules known as Lewis antigens, which play a role in a variety of biological processes, including immune recognition, cell adhesion, and inflammation. The expression of Lewis A and B on red blood cells is determined by the FUT3 gene, which encodes for the fucosyltransferase enzyme that adds the fucose sugar to precursor molecules. In general, individuals with the FUT3 gene mutation that leads to the expression of Lewis A antigen are unable to produce the Lewis B antigen, and vice versa. However, some individuals may be ""Lewis negative,"" meaning that they do not express either antigen due to mutations in the FUT2 gene. The presence or absence of Lewis antigens can also have implications for disease susceptibility and treatment, particularly in the context of cancer and other inflammatory conditions, as they can modulate immune responses and promote tumor growth and metastasis.

Synonyms

Lewis A; Lewis B