Evidence that donors with variant RH genotypes are associated with unexpected Rh antibodies.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported unexpected Rh antibodies in the plasma of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) that demonstrated common Rh specificities in the absence of transfusion of RBCs positive for that antigen. We hypothesize that these antibodies might result from transfusion of antigen-negative donor units with variant RH genotypes. METHODS: Plasma testing by tube and IgG gel, extended RBC phenotyping, and HEA and RH genotyping were by standard methods. CASE: A 6-year-old female with SCD, phenotype D + C-c + E-e + K- undergoing exchange transfusion with CEK- and Fy(a-) units, presented with anti-C in the plasma, a + DAT and warm autoantibody (WAA) in the eluate. Her RH genotype was unremarkable: RHD*D/DAU0 and RHCE*ce/ce(48C). Units (n = 10) transfused over the prior 6 months were confirmed CEK- by serology and DNA testing. Most (n = 7) were Rh-negative. A unit with variant RH, RHD*DIIIa/weak partial 4.0, RHCE*ceVS.03/ceVS.02, was transfused 5 weeks prior. Anti-C and + DAT continued to demonstrate for 25 weeks. Total hemoglobin and % Hgb S did not deviate from her established baseline. CONCLUSION: We show direct association of plasma anti-C with transfusion of a C-negative unit with variant RH encoding partial D and uncommon V/VS+ hrB - phenotype. The antibody was transient, without evidence of compromised survival of transfused RBCs. The +DAT and WAA complicated workups and selection of units, and it is uncertain whether donors of the same genotype should be avoided. Minority donors are important for CEK-matching to avoid depleting Rh-negative supplies. Consideration of patient and donor RH genotypes may avoid unexpected antibodies and improve allocation of rare donations.

Monoclonal anti-CD47 interference in red cell and platelet testing.

BACKGROUND: Anti-CD47 (Hu5F9-G4) is a human monoclonal immunoglobulin G (IgG)4 antibody that is in clinical trials to treat hematologic or solid malignancies. CD47, a glycoprotein expressed on all cells, binds to signal-regulatory protein α on macrophages and regulates phagocytosis. Blocking CD47 is thought to enhance phagocytosis and promote antitumor responses. Here, we evaluate drug interference in pretransfusion testing, determine mitigation strategies, and compare interference with anti-CD38 (Daratumumab). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Samples from four patients were tested by standard methods. Anti-IgG (Immucor monoclonal Gamma-clone and Ortho BioClone) were used, and dithiothreitol and enzyme-treated RBCs were tested. Allo-adsorption was performed with papain treated RBCs, pooled platelets, or with commercial human platelet concentrate. Platelet antibody testing was performed according to manufacturer's instructions. RESULTS: All plasma samples reacted 3+ to 4+ in all phases with all red blood cells (RBCs) by all methods including immediate spin. Stronger reactivity was observed with D- RBCs with titers as high as 16,384 at indirect antiglobulin testing. Reactivity at indirect antiglobulin testing using Gamma-clone anti-IgG (which does not detect IgG4) was only weakly positive and confirmed to be carryover agglutination. Plasma reacted with dithiothreitol, trypsin, papain, α-chymotrypsin, or warm autoantibody removal medium (W.A.R.M., Immucor) treated RBCs. Direct antiglobulin testing and autocontrol were negative or weak with 3+ reactive eluates. Reactivity was removed by multiple alloadsorptions with papain-treated cells or pooled platelets. Polyethylene glycol adsorption was invalid due to precipitation of antibody. CONCLUSION: Anti-CD47 (Hu5F9-G4) interferes with all phases of pretransfusion testing, including ABO reverse typing. To remove interference requires multiple RBC alloadsorptions and/or the use of monoclonal Gamma-clone anti-IgG in the indirect antiglobulin testing.

Screen-Printed All-Polymer Aptasensor for Impedance Based Detection of Influenza A Virus.

In this chapter a detailed description of the fabrication and testing of an aptasensor for influenza A virus detection is given. The sensor chip is an all-polymer chip fabricated with screen-printed poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) electrodes. Chip substrates are made by CO2 laser cutting of Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) sheets. Influenza A virus specific aptamers are immobilized onto the electrodes by UV cross-linking. Impedance based measurements at a single frequency, measured over time, are used to detect the virus in a buffer solution.

Study of Paclitaxel-Treated HeLa Cells by Differential Electrical Impedance Flow Cytometry.

This work describes the electrical investigation of paclitaxel-treated HeLa cells using a custom-made microfluidic biosensor for whole cell analysis in continuous flow. We apply the method of differential electrical impedance spectroscopy to treated HeLa cells in order to elucidate the changes in electrical properties compared with non-treated cells. We found that our microfluidic system was able to distinguish between treated and non-treated cells. Furthermore, we utilize a model for electrical impedance spectroscopy in order to perform a theoretical study to clarify our results. This study focuses on investigating the changes in the electrical properties of the cell membrane caused by the effect of paclitaxel. We observe good agreement between the model and the obtained results. This establishes the proof-of-concept for the application in cell drug therapy.