RT Book, Section A1 Dzieczkowski, Jeffery S. A1 Anderson, Kenneth C. A2 Longo, Dan L. SR Print(0) ID 1128353818 T1 TRANSFUSION BIOLOGY AND THERAPY T2 Harrison's Hematology and Oncology, 2e YR 2013 FD 2013 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9780071814904 LK hemonc.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1128353818 RD 2024/10/05 AB The study of red blood cell (RBC) antigens and antibodies forms the foundation of transfusion medicine. Serologic studies initially characterized these antigens, but now the molecular composition and structure of many are known. Antigens, either carbohydrate or protein, are assigned to a blood group system based on the structure and similarity of the determinant epitopes. Other cellular blood elements and plasma proteins are also antigenic and can result in alloimmunization, the production of antibodies directed against the blood group antigens of another individual. These antibodies are called alloantibodies.