Krystalyn E. Hudson, PhD

Dr. Hudson’s group focuses on mechanisms of anti-red blood cell (RBC) antibody formation, which is clinically relevant for transfusion medicine, pregnancy, and transplants. RBCs are critically important for tissue oxygenation; reduced RBC lifespan, production, or functional capacity results in anemia, adversely affecting human health. There are 44 defined human blood groups, comprising >350 antigens, with large heterogeneity among individuals regarding antigen polymorphisms, expression levels, and tissue distribution. Some antigens elicit strong immune responses, resulting in antibody production. Anti-RBC antibodies are clinically significant and can facilitate accelerated RBC clearance, hemolysis, and antigen modulation. These antibodies may also be transplant barriers, prevent life-saving transfusions, induce hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), and can even result in death. Although the effects of anti-RBC antibodies are well documented, additional research is needed to comprehensively define the factors and pathways involved in generating anti-RBC antibodies; filling these critical knowledge gaps will lead to improved prophylactic measures and new therapeutics for anti-RBC antibodies that will ultimately improve patient health. Pursuant of these goals, we use preclinical murine models and samples from patients to study anti-RBC antibodies and test new therapeutic agents in two settings: (1) as autoantibodies in autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), and (2) as alloantibodies in response to transfusions.

Thomas TA, Qiu A, Kim CY, Gordy DE, Miller A, Tredicine M, Dzieciatkowska M, Dei Zotti F, Hod EA, D’Alessandro A, Zimring JC, Spitalnik SL, Hudson KE. Reticulocytes in donor blood units enhance red blood cell alloimmunization. Accepted to Haematologica. 2023