ABSTRACT
The IgG subclasses and the Gm allotypes of anti-D antibodies were studied in 103 isoimmunized pregnancies with Rh-positive infants. No allelic exclusion phenomena were observed in patients heterozygous for the studied genes. An analysis of the correlation between the severity of fetal disease and the type of anti-D antibodies shows a greater hemolytic action of the IgG1 subclass and, within this group, those marked by the Gm(4) allotype. These results suggest that the prognostic value of anti-D antibody titers during pregnancy could be modulated by a study of the IgG subclasses and their allotypes.
Subject(s)
Erythroblastosis, Fetal/immunology , Immunoglobulin Allotypes/analysis , Immunoglobulin G/classification , Isoantibodies/immunology , Rh-Hr Blood-Group System/immunology , Bilirubin/blood , Coombs Test , Erythroblastosis, Fetal/blood , Female , Fetal Blood/analysis , Hemoglobins/analysis , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Phenotype , Pregnancy , PrognosisABSTRACT
A new enzyme-linked immunoassay for the determination of anti-erythrocyte antibodies is described. A fluorogenic substrate of alkaline phosphatase, the 4-MUP, was used to reveal the antigen-antibody reaction. This substrate was chosen in order to avoid interferences with haemoglobin, since it emits a light with a wavelength outside the absorption spectrum of haemoglobin. This method reaches a sensitivity in the order of 1 ng/ml. Sera from 66 Rh-immunized pregnant women and 20 control subjects have been studied. The specificity and reproducibility of the results and their good correlation with the biological and clinical parameters of the hemolytic disease of the newborn confirm the validity of the method, encouraging its routine use.
Subject(s)
Antibodies/analysis , Erythrocytes/immunology , Rh-Hr Blood-Group System , Alkaline Phosphatase/metabolism , Coombs Test , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Erythroblastosis, Fetal/diagnosis , Female , Fluorometry , Humans , Hymecromone/analogs & derivatives , Hymecromone/metabolism , Methods , Pregnancy , Prenatal DiagnosisABSTRACT
A comparative study of alpha-naphthyl (nonspecific) esterase (ANAE), acid phosphatase (AcP), and beta-glucuronidase (beta-GLUS) in the blood lymphocytes was carried out on 26 healthy pregnant women (7 to 27 weeks' amenorrhea) and on 32 normal nonpregnant women, all 58 of whom were 19 to 34 years old. In pregnant women, we found a significantly lower percentage of ANAE-positive lymphocytes (after 11 weeks' amenorrhea), a strong reduction in AcP, and a slight decrease in beta-GLUS. The modified enzyme levels of circulating lymphocytes in the early stages of pregnancy seem to be related to the depressed cell-mediated immunity.
