Oral administration of erythrocyte membrane antigen does not suppress anti-Rh(D) antibody responses in humans.
The effects of prior oral administration of erythrocyte membrane preparations (Oral Rh antigen) on the serum anti-Rh(D) antibody response has been evaluated in non-sensitized Rh(D)-negative male volunteers, and in female volunteers sensitized previously by Rh(D)-positive fetal blood during pregnancy. Sixty-one percent (11/18) of males who received oral Rh antigen (either D-positive or D-negative) before intravenous challenge with Rh(D)-positive cells produced detectable antibodies; of these 11, six received oral Rh(D)-negative antigen and five received oral Rh(D)-positive antigen. Seventy-two percent (13/18) of control males, who had received no prior oral Rh antigen, produced antibodies following challenge with Rh(D)-positive cells. Three out of six pre-sensitized females who received oral D-positive or D-negative Rh antigen for 4 weeks, but without intravenous challenge, increased their anti-Rh(D) antibody levels which peaked after 11-18 weeks: two had received Rh(D)-positive antigen, and one Rh(D)-negative antigen. These data indicate that administration of oral Rh antigen before parenteral immunization does not significantly suppress the anti-Rh(D) antibody response. Indeed, oral administration of either Rh(D)-positive or Rh(D)-negative antigen can boost systemic antibody in pre-sensitized females. These results do not support the rationale of treating Rh-sensitized pregnant women with oral Rh antigen.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000327:Adsorption; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions; D000941:Antigens / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D004899:Erythroblastosis, Fetal / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System / Q000276:immunology*
D000906:Antibodies; D000941:Antigens; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System