Quantitative Detection of Weak D Antigen Variants in Blood Typing using SPR

Sci Rep. 2017 May 9;7(1):1616. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-01817-x.

Abstract

Modern techniques for quantifying blood group antibody-antigen interactions are very limited, especially for weaker interactions which result from low antigen expression and/or partial expression of the antigen structure. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) detection is often used to monitor and quantify bio-interactions. Previously, a regenerable, multi-fucntional platform for quantitative RBC phenotyping of normal antigen expression using SPR detection was reported. However, detection of weaker variants were not explored. Here, this sensitivity study used anti-human IgG antibodies immobilized to a gold sensor surface to two clinically important types of weaker D variants using SPR; weak D and partial D. Positive pre-sensitised cells bind to the anti-human IgG monolayer, and the response unit (RU) is reported (>100 RU). Unbound negative cells are directly eluted (<100 RU). Weak D cells were detected between a range of 180-580 RU, due to a lower expression of antigens. Partial D cells, category D VI, were also positively identified (352-1147 RU), similar to that of normal D antigens. The detection of two classes of weaker D variants was achieved for the first time using this fully regenerable SPR platform, opening up a new avenue to replace the current subjective and arbitrary methods for quantifying blood group antibody-antigen interactions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens / blood*
  • Binding Sites
  • Blood Grouping and Crossmatching / methods*
  • Erythrocytes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / metabolism
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance / methods*

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Immunoglobulin G