Antibody elution

Process of removing antibodies from red blood cells

Antibody elution is a laboratory technique used in immunohematology to remove and identify antibodies that are bound to the surface of red blood cells. This process is crucial in the investigation of autoimmune hemolytic anemia, hemolytic disease of the newborn, and transfusion reactions.

Principle

Antibody elution involves disrupting the bond between the antibody and the antigen on the red blood cell surface, allowing the antibody to be released into a solution. This solution can then be tested to identify the specific antibodies present.

Elution principle

The principle of elution is based on altering the conditions that maintain the antibody-antigen complex. This can be achieved through changes in pH, temperature, or ionic strength, or by using chemical agents.

Methods

Several methods are used for antibody elution, each with its own advantages and limitations. The choice of method depends on the clinical context and the specific requirements of the test.

Acid Elution

The Acid Elution Principle

Acid elution is one of the most common methods used. It involves lowering the pH to disrupt the antibody-antigen bond. This method is particularly useful for detecting IgG antibodies.

Heat Elution

Heat elution involves heating the red blood cells to a temperature that denatures the proteins involved in the antibody-antigen complex. This method is simple and effective for certain types of antibodies.

Organic Solvent Elution

Organic solvents such as ether or chloroform can be used to disrupt the lipid bilayer of the red blood cell membrane, releasing the bound antibodies. This method is less commonly used due to the potential for cell damage and safety concerns.

Enzyme Treatment

Enzymes such as papain or ficin can be used to cleave proteins on the red blood cell surface, facilitating the release of antibodies. This method is useful for specific antibody types.

Applications

Antibody elution is used in various clinical scenarios:

• Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia: To identify autoantibodies that are causing the destruction of red blood cells.
• Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn: To detect maternal antibodies bound to fetal red blood cells.
• Transfusion Reactions: To investigate antibodies that may have caused a reaction to transfused blood.

Related pages

• Antibody
• Red blood cell
• Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
• Hemolytic disease of the newborn
• Transfusion reaction