Anti-U-like: a common antibody in Black individuals.
OBJECTIVE
Anti-Uz, a scarce antibody, defines a glycophorin B high-incidence antigen, which is protease-sensitive. In a few years, we have encountered 12 antibodies of similar specificity, made by Black individuals of the S- s+ U+ phenotype.


METHODS
Antibodies were characterized by serological methods, with common and rare MNS types, as well as red cells treated with various proteases.


RESULTS
Anti-U-like, mostly an autoantibody, was of IgG class and reacted optimally by indirect antiglobulin test at 20 degrees C. The corresponding antigen was destroyed by several proteases. Tests with papain-treated or Dantu+ cells suggested the existence of several subspecificities.


CONCLUSIONS
Anti-U-like is common in the African population, though its reactions are often misinterpreted. The fact that antibody producers are always Black patients remains unexplained. No relationship with a pathological state could be established.
Janvier
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ST-Louis, Lariboisière, and Tenon, EFS Ile-de-France sites, Paris, France. danieljanvier@yahoo.fr
Lam
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Maury
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D000372:Agglutination Tests; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D044383:Black People / Q000235:genetics*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006021:Glycophorins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011247:Pregnancy
D001323:Autoantibodies; D006021:Glycophorins; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007518:Isoantibodies; C476165:anti-U-like antibody, human