Premium
Resistance of a subset of red blood cells to clearance by antibodies in a mouse model of incompatible transfusion
Author(s) -
Liepkalns Justine S.,
Cadwell Chantel M.,
Stowell Sean R.,
Hod Eldad A.,
Spitalnik Steven L.,
Zimring James C.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2012.03910.x
Subject(s) - glycophorin , antibody , clearance , immunology , medicine , hemolysis , population , antigen , blood transfusion , isoantibodies , environmental health , urology
Background Alloimmunization to antigens on transfused red blood cells ( RBCs ) represents a major barrier to chronic transfusion. In extreme cases of multiple alloimmunization, clinicians may be faced with the decision of transfusing incompatible RBCs or risking death from lack of transfusion. The disastrous results of hemolytic transfusion reactions are well understood, and major pathways of clearance have been described. However, well described but poorly understood is the survival of a subset of incompatible donor RBCs during hemolysis, despite antibody binding. Study Design And Methods We utilize a tractable murine model of incompatible transfusion in which RBCs from transgenic donor mice expressing human glycophorin A ( hGPA ) are transfused into recipients passively immunized with anti‐ hGPA . Results As in humans, the majority of RBCs are cleared but a subset of incompatible donor RBCs persist in circulation, despite being bound by antibodies. Data contained herein reject the hypothesis that lack of clearance is due to insufficient antibody or overwhelming of phagocytic machinery; rather, we establish that surviving RBCs represent a distinct population resistant to clearance. Conclusions These studies demonstrate that surviving RBCs during incompatible transfusion can represent a population that is resistant to clearance.