MODIFIED AND AUTOMATED ANTIGLOBULIN TEST TECHNIQUES CONT. Flashcards
first described by Lalezari and Jiang in 1980
Low Ionic Polybrene (LIP) technique
offers a manual adaptation of an automated method for sensitizing cells with antibodies.
Low Ionic Polybrene (LIP) technique
Principle: relies on low ionic conditions to facilitate rapid sensitization of cells with antibodies.
LIP technique
Polybrene, a compound known for forming rouleaux (clumps of red blood cells), is added to aid in bringing the sensitized cells close together, allowing for cross-linking by the attached antibodies.
LIP technique
Procedure:
1.Initially, low ionic conditions are created to sensitize the cells with antibodies quickly. Polybrene is added to facilitate the formation of rouleaux.
2.Following this, a high ionic strength solution is introduced to reverse the rouleaux formation. If agglutination persists, it indicates the presence of antibody binding to the red blood cells.
3.If necessary, the test can be further carried out using an antiglobulin (AHG) technique. In this case, a monospecific anti-IgG reagent is required due to the presence of considerable amounts of C4 and C3 coating the cells under low ionic conditions, which could lead to false positive reactions if a polyspecific reagent were used.
LIP technique
is increasingly used in blood group serology due to its convenience and efficiency.
Microplate Adaptation
Redman and colleagues adapted the LIP technique for use in microplates.
Microplate Adaptation
While their report didn’t include the use of an AHG phase, it can be easily incorporated into the process.
Microplate Adaptation
offers a relatively quick and straightforward method for detecting antibody binding to red blood cells.
LIP technique
Its adaptation for use in microplates adds further convenience, making it suitable for high-throughput applications in blood group serology laboratories.
LIP technique
it’s crucial to ensure the appropriate choice of reagents, including the use of monospecific anti-IgG reagents if proceeding to an AHG phase, to avoid false-
positive reactions
LIP technique
provides a manual approach for sensitizing red blood cells with antibodies under low ionic conditions, with potential adaptation for use in microplate technology, offering convenience and efficiency in blood group serology testing.
LIP technique
is a variation of the antiglobulin test (also known as the Coombs test) that employs an enzyme-labeled antiglobulin reagent
Enzyme-Linked Antiglobulin Test
: Initially, a suspension of red blood cells (RBCs) from the patient’s sample is prepared.
1.Preparation of RBC Suspension
This suspension typically contains RBCs that may have been sensitized with antibodies, which could indicate various immune-related conditions such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia or hemolytic disease of the newborn.
1.Preparation of RBC Suspension
: Microtiter wells are used as the reaction vessels for this test.
- Microtiter Plate Setup
A small volume of the RBC suspension is added to each well of the microtiter plate.
- Microtiter Plate Setup
: The RBCs in the microtiter wells are washed with saline to remove any unbound or non-specifically bound components, ensuring that only specific antibody-RBC complexes remain.
- Washing Step
: An antiglobulin reagent that has been labeled with an enzyme (such as horseradish peroxidase or alkaline phosphatase) is added to the wells.
- Addition of Enzyme-Labeled AHG
This will bind specifically to any IgG antibodies that have sensitized the RBCs present in the wells.
- Addition of Enzyme-Labeled AHG
: The microtiter plate is then incubated to allow sufficient time for the enzyme-labeled antiglobulin to bind to any IgG-sensitized RBCs present in the wells.
- Incubation and Binding
: After the incubation period, any excess enzyme-labeled antiglobulin reagent is washed away to minimize background noise and non-specific binding.
- Removal of Excess Reagent
: A substrate specific to the enzyme used for labeling the AHG is added to each well.
- Addition of Enzyme Substrate
When the enzyme reacts with the substrate, it produces a color change or a fluorescent signal.
- Addition of Enzyme Substrate
: The amount of color or fluorescence produced in each well is measured spectrophotometrically or using a specialized plate reader.
- Colorimetric Measurement
The optical density is usually measured at a specific wavelength, commonly 405 nm for many enzyme substrates.
- Colorimetric Measurement
: The intensity of the color or fluorescence signal is proportional to the amount of antibody present in the sample.
- Quantification of Antibody
This allows for the quantitative determination of the level of IgG antibodies bound to the RBCs.
- Quantification of Antibody
: From the measured optical density or fluorescence intensity, the number of IgG molecules per RBC can be estimated, providing valuable information about the antibody load and the severity of the immune reaction
- Determination of IgG Molecules per RBC
offers a sensitive and quantitative method for detecting and quantifying IgG antibodies bound to red blood cells, making it a valuable tool in the diagnosis and monitoring of various immune mediated hemolytic disorders.
Enzyme-Linked Antiglobulin Test
has revolutionized the performance of antiglobulin tests, offering increased sensitivity, specificity, and automation potential.
Solid-phase technology