The use of monoclonal antibodies UCH/β and UCHγ for the antenatal diagnosis of /β-thalassaemia

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Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies for the .beta.-globin chain of human HbA (UCH.beta.) and the .gamma.-globin chain of human HbF (UCH.gamma.) have been made. UCH.beta. indirectly labelled with rhodamine-labelled goat anti-mouse Ig and directly fluoresceinated UCH.gamma. have been used, via double labelling immunofluorescence microscopy, to assay for the presence of .beta.-chains in fetal erythrocytes obtained at fetoscopy from fetuses at risk for .beta.-thalassaemia major. The results from 111 cases demonstrate that .beta.-chain synthesis of as low as 1.8% can be detected in fetal erythrocytes. The immunochemical labelling can be rendered more sensitive by the use of biotinylated UCH.beta. and avidin-FITC conjugates. This method is rapid and can be used for a sample that is highly contaminated with maternal erythrocytes.