title: The resolution of platelet serologic problems using Western blotting.
abstract: Serologic identification of anti-PLAl and other platelet specific antibodies is difficult because other platelet reactive antibodies (e.g. anti-HLA) are commonly found in the samples. We have developed and evaluated a method using Western blotting to identify platelet specific antibodies. Since anti-PLAl is the most frequently encountered antibody, we used this antibody to validate the method. The PLAl antigen was found on a 95,000 Dalton protein, confirmed as glycoprotein IIIa by two-dimensional electrophoresis. The usefulness of Western blotting in resolving difficult platelet serologic problems was compared to a radiolabeled antiglobulin test using intact platelets. Our results showed that all sera with anti-PLAl identified by serology were confirmed by Western blotting. In addition, one anti-PLAl was detectable only by the proposed method. Western blotting was also as useful as a serologic method to PLAl type platelets. HLA antibodies were not demonstrable by this technique. In summary, Western blotting is a highly specific and sensitive way of identifying anti-PLAl in a variety of clinical situations. This approach may be used to identify antibodies to other platelet specific antigens and to standardize platelet antigen typing sera.
mesh_terms: D000918:Antibody Specificity; D016824:Antigens, Human Platelet; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000276:immunology*; D003101:Collodion; D003298:Coombs Test; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D039661:Integrin beta3; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D007519:Isoantigens / Q000032:analysis; D008722:Methods; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011868:Radioisotopes; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016824:Antigens, Human Platelet; D000954:Antigens, Surface; C061248:ITGB3 protein, human; D039661:Integrin beta3; D007518:Isoantibodies; D007519:Isoantigens; D011868:Radioisotopes; D003101:Collodion