title: Characterization of anti-D monoclonal antibody reagents based on their reactivity with the weak D phenotype.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anti-D monoclonal antibody (MoAb) reagents have improved D typing in routine tests. However, they exhibit a wide range of reactivity with the weak D phenotype depending on the characteristics of the different MoAbs used. We analyzed the reactivity of immunoglobulin (IgM) anti-D by cluster analysis to characterize MoAb that have similar reactivities with the weak D phenotype.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used 36 consecutive samples with weak D phenotype in routine testing and determined their reactivity with different IgM and IgG anti-D MoAbs. The samples were characterized as belonging to a weak D type or category using commercial molecular biology kits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The various anti-D MoAbs showed a wide grade of reactivity with the weak D samples. Similarities and dissimilarities in the behavior of the anti-D MoAbs with the weak D phenotype samples were detected with cluster analysis and the multidimensional scaling analysis. These analyses indicated different families of MoAbs characterized as having a high degree of homogeneity in their reactivity with the weak D phenotype. Between these MoAb families, the most effective at reacting with the weak D phenotype were RUM-1 and 175-2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results show that it is possible to classify the anti-D MoAbs on the basis of their reactivity with the weak D phenotype. This provides information about different MoAbs' properties on the basis of their belonging to a given of anti-D family.
authors.affiliation: Immunohematology Laboratory, Transfusion Centre, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. marco_lai@fastwebnet.it
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grasso
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Boschi
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Onofrio
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pascali
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Leone
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology; D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology; D010641:Phenotype; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System / Q000276:immunology*; D018029:Rho(D) Immune Globulin
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D007518:Isoantibodies; C061961:RHO(D) antibody; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System; D018029:Rho(D) Immune Globulin