MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES AGAINST RED-BLOOD-CELL ANTIGENS USED IN ROUTINE PRACTICE AND RESEARCH

This paper describes the application of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in routine practice and research. Carefully selected anti-A and anti-B mAbs show stronger reactions, especially when the antigen density is diminished, detect better the weak variants like A(x) and B(w), do not react with acquired B, and do not express anti-T activity. For the MN system murine mAbs are used successfully since several years in routine practice as well as for testing the Lewis antigens. They are superior to the polyclonal reagents. In the Rh system the mAbs are now going to be established. The reactivity of mAbs with weak D red blood cells and so-called categories is discussed. The paper gives examples for the use of mAbs as a very important tool for red blood cell antigen research leading to a new understanding of genetics, biosynthesis, and molecular structure of the red cell antigens.