Cytotoxic flow-cytometric crossmatches (flow-tox): a comparison with conventional cytotoxicity crossmatch techniques.
Detection and avoidance of donor-reactive antibodies in the sera of potential organ transplant recipients is key to a successful transplant outcome. Techniques of antibody detection that use flow cytometry are more sensitive than those that rely upon a visual determination of cytotoxicity. However, as conventionally performed, flow-cytometric crossmatches do not distinguish between cytotoxic (complement fixing) and noncytotoxic antibodies because both types of antibodies can bind to a cell and be detected by laser-activated fluorochrome photon emission. In 1989 we described two techniques for detecting cytotoxic antibodies using flow-cytometric techniques [1]. In 1990, we expanded the application of these new techniques that we called flow cytotoxicity assays or "Flow-Tox" [2]. Flow-Tox crossmatches demonstrate an increase in both sensitivity and specificity over conventional cytotoxicity crossmatches.
Wetzsteon
P J
PJ
Laboratory of Immunogenetics and Transplantation, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201.
Head
M A
MA
Fletcher
L M
LM
Lye
W C
WC
Norman
D J
DJ
D002469:Cell Separation; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic / Q000379:methods*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005452:Fluoresceins; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011419:Propidium; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D005452:Fluoresceins; C024098:6-carboxyfluorescein; D011419:Propidium