Demonstration by the monoclonal antibody-specific immobilization of erythrocyte antigens assay that a new red cell antigen belongs to the Kell blood group system.
BACKGROUND
The Kell blood group system comprises 21 antigens residing on a red cell membrane glycoprotein of apparent M(r) 93,000.


METHODS
Serologic techniques were used to identify a new red cell antigen. The monoclonal antibody-specific immobilization of erythrocyte antigens (MAIEA) assay was used to identify the red cell membrane component carrying that antigen.


RESULTS
A new high-frequency red cell antigen was identified and provisionally named RAZ. RAZ is absent from K.o red cells and from red cells treated with 2-amino-ethylisothiouronium bromide and is expressed weakly on McLeod phenotype cells. It differs from all other Kell system antigens, and no depression of other Kell system antigens on RAZ+ red cells was noticed. The RAZ antigen was shown by the MAIEA assay to be located on the Kell glycoprotein.


CONCLUSIONS
RAZ is a new high-frequency antigen located on the Kell glycoprotein. The MAIEA assay is a very effective method of demonstrating the membrane structure carrying a red cell antigen.
Daniels
G L
GL
Medical Research Council Blood Group Unit, London, UK.
Petty
A C
AC
Reid
M
M
Moulds
M
M
Devenish
A
A
Halil
O
O
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000941:Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D003298:Coombs Test; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007626:Kell Blood-Group System / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010206:Papain / Q000494:pharmacology; D010641:Phenotype; D014357:Trypsin / Q000494:pharmacology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000941:Antigens; D007626:Kell Blood-Group System; D014357:Trypsin; D010206:Papain