title: Progress toward preparation of universal donor red cells.
abstract: Coupling of an inert polymer to the surface of red cells was examined as a potential means of covering blood group antigens and producing cells that could serve as universal donor cells for transfusion. Effective blockade of red cell antigens was achieved with N-hydroxysuccinimide-activated esters of polyethylene glycol. It was possible to block all antigens tested, but lower concentrations of reactants were required to block peptide-defined antigens than carbohydrate-defined antigens. Red cells remained intact after modification but were significantly damaged. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of antigenic blockade of red cells, but there is a need to reduce damage during coupling reactions to produce viable red cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35233, USA.
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Hortin
authors.forename: H T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Lok
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D001782:Blood Donors; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000276:immunology*; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006386:Hemagglutination Tests; D006801:Humans; D007519:Isoantigens / Q000097:blood*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols
chemical_list: D007519:Isoantigens; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols