title: Evolutionary aspects of ABO blood group in humans.
abstract: The antigens of the ABO blood group system (A, B and H determinants) are complex carbohydrate molecules expressed on red blood cells and on a variety of other cell lines and tissues. Growing evidence is accumulating that ABO antigens, beyond their key role in transfusion medicine, may interplay with the pathogenesis of many human disorders, including infectious, cardiovascular and neoplastic diseases. In this narrative review, after succinct description of the current knowledge on the association between ABO blood groups and the most severe diseases, we aim to elucidate the particularly intriguing issue of the possible role of ABO system in successful aging. In particular, focus will be placed on studies evaluating the ABO phenotype in centenarians, the best human model of longevity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Carlo Poma, Mantova, Italy. Electronic address: massimo.franchini@aopoma.it.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Franchini
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Carlo Poma, Mantova, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bonfanti
mesh_terms: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000235:genetics*; D005075:Biological Evolution; D004194:Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System
keywords: ABO blood group; Cancers; Cardiovascular diseases; Infections; Longevity