Blood group RhCcEe antigen (RHCE)

The Blood group RhCcEe antigen (RHCE) is a non-glycosylated, multipass transmembrane protein that is a core component of the Rh blood group system, one of the most complex and clinically significant systems in human transfusion medicine (UniProt: P18577). It is encoded by the RHCE gene and is responsible for expressing the C, c, E, and e antigens on the surface of red blood cells (NCBI Gene: 6006). Biologically, RHCE is part of a membrane complex that functions in ammonium transport and maintains the structural integrity and shape of the erythrocyte (PubMed: 11029518). The RhC antigen is a major cause of clinical alloimmunization; individuals who lack the antigen may produce anti-C antibodies if exposed to RhC-positive blood through transfusion or pregnancy (StatPearls: NBK557820). These antibodies can lead to serious medical conditions, including hemolytic transfusion reactions and hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), characterized by the immune-mediated destruction of fetal red blood cells (PubMed: 25208257). While RHCE is not a target for conventional small-molecule therapeutics, it is a critical target for diagnostic antibody reagents and is managed in clinical settings using treatments like intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) to mitigate antibody-mediated hemolysis (PubMed: 30633351).

Other names

Rh polypeptide C/ERh blood group CcEe antigenRHIXRHVIBlood group Rh antigen CRHCRHE

Antibody-mediated clearance of RhC-positive erythrocytes via Fc-receptor-mediated phagocytosis in the spleen.