Japan develops artificial blood compatible with any blood type
Blood donation is essential for the functioning of healthcare systems. However, not all blood types have the same reserves : minority or rare groups, such as B negative or AB, have low levels in blood banks , making them difficult to care for in emergencies or transplants. The need for compatibility , storage times , and insufficient awareness often mean that reserves are scarce. But, according to a group of Japanese researchers, this problem could be numbered thanks to a revolutionary breakthrough.
Researchers at Nara Medical University in Kashihara, Nara Prefecture, Japan, have successfully created artificial red blood cells from expired blood . These components, called hemoglobin vesicles (HbV), are microscopic capsules containing hemoglobin , the protein responsible for oxygen transport, encased in an artificial lipid membrane .
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Clinical versatility: By bypassing the original red blood cell membrane, they eliminate all blood group antigens. This allows them to be used without knowing the recipient's type in critical situations.
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Strength and durability: While traditional blood can be stored for less than a month under refrigeration, HbV can be stored for up to two years at room temperature and five years under refrigeration.
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Safety: It is produced from discarded blood, eliminating any infectious agents, which improves the safety profile compared to clinical trials.
The first human trials began in 2020. Since then, the team led by Professor Hiromi Sakai has completed several clinical trials, concluding the latest in spring of this year. In this trial, 100 to 400 ml of HbV were administered to a total of 16 healthy volunteers to evaluate its tolerability, pharmacokinetics, potential adverse effects, and immunological response .
In a future phase, their practical efficacy in medical treatments will be explored, with a view to clinical use by 2030. Their protocol also proposes their inclusion in pre-hospitalization resources: ambulances, medical helicopters and emergency services in isolated areas, since artificial red blood cells can be vital in emergency conditions such as natural disasters, serious accidents, urgent surgeries on islands or remote areas, where access to blood banks is limited .
To date, many researchers have attempted to create artificial blood, but have encountered obstacles such as toxicity, high blood pressure, and a short lifespan. However, these HbVs, lacking the antigenic membrane , are considered compatible with all blood types. Not only that, since they are derived from encapsulated hemoglobin , they do not present ABO or Rh antigens, which eliminates incompatibilities and the risk of rejection .
Interest in artificial blood isn't unique to Japan. In 2022, the first laboratory-grown red blood cell transplants were performed in the United Kingdom; and in the United States, agencies such as DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) are investing in synthetic blood based on modified hemoglobin .
Unlike these, the Japanese model is distinguished by its use of a recycled source (expired blood), which reduces costs and streamlines manufacturing processes . It also offers greater durability than synthetic or in vitro cultured alternatives.
Although these preliminary results are encouraging, definitive testing in vulnerable populations, such as critically ill patients, hematological patients, children, and the elderly, is lacking . However, if the trials confirm its feasibility, we could say goodbye to blood type barriers and the perennial shortage of stored blood .
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