The Kell (K1) antigen is?

The Kell (K1) antigen is known to be strongly immunogenic, which means it has a high potential to elicit an immune response when introduced into a sensitized individual. This characteristic is particularly relevant in blood transfusions and pregnancy, where the presence of anti-Kell antibodies can lead to hemolytic reactions. Understanding the immunogenicity of the Kell antigen is crucial for blood bank practices, as it helps guide antibody screening and selection of compatible blood products.

The other options reflect characteristics that are not accurate for the Kell antigen. For instance, while it is true that neonatal red blood cells typically have fewer antigens, the Kell antigen may still be present, though at lower levels, rather than being completely absent. Additionally, the Kell antigen is resistant to destruction by most enzyme treatments, which is significant in laboratory settings that involve blood typing. Lastly, the frequency of the Kell antigen in the population is lower than 50%, specifically around 9% for the K1 antigen, indicating that it does not have a high prevalence in random blood donors. This knowledge is essential for those working in blood banking to ensure proper identification and management of blood types and potential transfusion reactions.