A first aspect of the invention is directed to a process for the preparation of cellular blood components with reduced expression of
antigen(s) (blood groups) compared to the
native state, comprising: (a) Providing a
solid carrier carrying at least one
enzyme; (b) Providing a
liquid phase LP1 comprising at least one cellular
blood component having
antigen(s) with a native expression of
antigen(s) LA(1); and (c) Contacting the
solid carrier carrying at least one
enzyme provided according to step (a) with the
liquid phase provided according to step (b) under conditions allowing a removal of at least a part of the antigen(s) from the at least one cellular
blood component; thereby obtaining a
liquid phase LP2 comprising the at least one cellular
blood component having antigen(s) with a reduced expression of antigen(s) LA(2), wherein LA(2) is < LA(1), and the
solid carrier carrying the at least one
enzyme at a concentration CSC(1). In a second aspect, the invention relates to a
system for removing antigen(s) from cellular blood components, and a third aspect is directed to specific α-1,3-
galactosidases. A fourth aspect of the invention is related to a cellular blood component having a reduced expression of antigen(s) LA(2) compared to a native expression of antigen(s) LA(1) of said cellular blood component with LA(2) < LA(1), obtained or obtainable by a process according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein a fifth aspect of the invention is directed to the cellular blood component with LA(2) < LA(1) per se. In a sixth aspect, the invention relates to the cellular blood component having a reduced expression of antigen(s) LA(2) compared to a native expression of antigen(s) LA(1) of said cellular blood component with LA(2) < LA(1) of the fourth or the fifth aspect of the invention for use in transfusion.