Immunochemical characterization of the Rh CW antigen using human monoclonal antibodies.
OBJECTIVE
Human monoclonal antibodies have been produced against various Rh antigens. We report here the production of another one against Rh C and the first such antibody against Rh CW.


METHODS
Two heterohybridomas secreting IgG human monoclonal antibodies against Rh CW and Rh C (MS-353 and MS-242 respectively) were produced from alloimmunized donors. Their specificity was confirmed by serological testing.


RESULTS
MS-353 reacted with all CW-positive phenotypes but not with any CW-negative phenotypes, whereas MS-242 reacted with all CW-positive and C-positive phenotypes. Using 125I-labelled antibodies, the average number of CW sites/red cell was 32,000 (R1WR1W, 15,200 (R1WR1), 19,800 (R1WR2), 15,300 (R1Wr), 26,200 (r'Wr), and the average number of C sites per red cell on equivalent CW/C-positive phenotypes was similar: 22,400 (R1R1), 21,800 (R1WR1), 12,300 (R1R2), 11,700 (R1WR2), 13,400 (R1r), 15,100 (R1Wr), 21,100 (r'r), 18,700 (r'Wr). MS-353 and MS-242 were mutually inhibitory. Both antibodies specifically immunoprecipitated a 33- to 34-kD polypeptide from 125I-surface-labelled cells.


CONCLUSIONS
MS-353 is suitable for the serological detection of CW-positive cells, and the immunochemical data are entirely consistent with the report that the CW antigen is associated with a point mutation in the RHCE gene [Blood, 1995;86:1196-1201].
Thorpe
S J
SJ
National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, South Mimms, Potters Bar, UK. sthorpe@nibsc.ac.uk
Boult
C E
CE
Thompson
K M
KM
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D006801:Humans; D007120:Immunochemistry; D007519:Isoantigens / Q000097:blood*; D011233:Precipitin Tests; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007519:Isoantigens; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System