Role of Non-specific Protein in the Sensitization of Red Blood Cells by Antigen

Abstract

BOTH the bis-diazotized benzidine (BDB)¹ and tanned cell haemagglutination² techniques are considered to be among the most sensitive methods for the detection of antibody^3,4. However, whether or not both these haemagglutination techniques (BDB and tanned cells) are equally sensitive with respect to any particular antigen–antibody system and therefore can be used interchangeably has not yet been elucidated. In fact, evidence obtained in this laboratory⁵ would tend to suggest that, in certain cases, it is advantageous to use the BDB technique and in other cases the tanned cell technique, in order to achieve maximum sensitivity. In view of this finding, it became obvious that a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying these two haemagglutination reactions would be most appropriate. The results of initial experiments reported in this communication indicate that the two techniques differ in their ability to detect antibody when sensitization of the red cells with specific antigen is carried out in the presence of extraneous protein.