The "Protection" of Sensitized a and b Red Cell Antigens by Water-Soluble a and b Substances

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Abstract
Summary: When adult group A1 or B cells are sensitized with anti-A or anti-B antibodies and the thoroughly washed cells incubated with a source of A or B substance the serological reactions of the cells become progressively modified. First they are inhibited from agglutination in saline. Second, they are inhibited from agglutination in serum, and third, the direct antiglobulin reaction becomes negative. Red cells whose serologic properties have been modified in this way are said to be “protected.” Fully “protected” cells give lower antigen titers when titrated against agglutinating anti-A or anti-B. They react negatively or only weakly with partially-neutralized anti-A or anti-B sera. Sensitized cells are osmotically more fragile than unsensitized cells. But cells after “protection” are more resistant to hemolysis than are normal cells. Titration of AB substance in aqueous extracts of autoclaved cells shows that more substance is present in “protected” cells than in sensitized cells, in unsensitized cells, or in unsensitized cells which have been incubated with AB substance. The suggestion is made that this “protection” of sensitized red cells is one way in which both secretor and non-secretor infants incompatible for the ABO blood groups with their mother are prevented from suffering excessive red cell destruction.