A blood type rarer than O-negative and shared by fewer than 50 people worldwide has gained the moniker “golden blood” due to its exceptional value in treating rare medical conditions. This unique blood, officially called Rh-null, lacks all antigens found in the rhesus blood group system, making it a potential lifesaver for patients with unusual blood disorders who struggle to find compatible donors. While incredibly precious, the extreme scarcity of Rh-null blood has spurred scientific efforts to recreate it in the lab, offering hope for a future supply for those in critical need. This article details the science behind this extraordinary blood type and the ongoing research to make it more readily available.
A remarkably rare blood type, known as Rh-null and nicknamed “golden blood,” is found in fewer than 50 people worldwide. This scarcity makes it exceptionally valuable in the medical field, particularly for patients with unusual blood disorders.
According to the New York Post, Rh-null blood is unique because it lacks all of the more than 50 antigens typically found in the Rhesus (Rh) blood group system. This distinctive characteristic makes it highly sought after for transfusions for individuals with rare blood conditions.
The American Red Cross defines a blood type as “rare” if it appears in less than 1 in 1,000 people. However, Rh-null is far less common, estimated to occur in only 1 in 6 million individuals.
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Why is Rh-null So Rare?
Blood type is determined by antigens – proteins or sugars on the surface of red blood cells – which help the immune system distinguish between the body’s own blood and foreign blood.
“If someone receives a blood transfusion with different antigens, the body can create antibodies and attack that blood,” explained Ash Toye, a professor of cell biology at Bristol University.
The ABO and Rhesus (Rh) systems are the primary blood group systems that trigger an immune response. The combination of these systems results in eight common blood types: A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB-, O+, and O-.
O-negative blood is often referred to as the “universal donor” because it lacks A, B, and RhD antigens. However, the Rhesus system is actually much more complex, containing over 50 antigens.
Individuals with Rh-null blood lack all of these antigens, meaning they cannot even receive O-negative blood. They can only be transfused with blood from another person with the Rh-null type.
Why is Rh-null Called ‘Golden Blood’?
Because Rh-null blood completely lacks Rh antigens, it can be used to help patients with rare blood disorders who require a very specific Rh match. This makes it a potentially life-saving resource for a small group of patients who struggle to find compatible donors.
However, the supply of Rh-null blood is extremely limited. The small number of individuals with this blood type means that each unit is exceptionally valuable, leading to its nickname, “golden blood.”
Scientists Attempt to Produce ‘Golden Blood’ in the Lab
Given the extreme rarity of Rh-null blood, researchers are exploring ways to produce it artificially. In 2018, Ash Toye’s team successfully recreated the rare blood type using CRISPR-Cas9 technology.
However, the use of this genetic engineering approach is subject to strict regulations, meaning it will likely be years before it can be used for patients.
Toye is now leading the RESTORE clinical trial, the first study to test lab-grown red blood cells created from donor stem cells for transfusion into humans.
“Currently, taking blood from a person’s arm is still much more efficient,” Toye said. “But for those with very rare blood types, the ability to grow additional blood will be incredibly helpful.”
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