Rh blood group phenotyping is required both before blood transfusion and to determine if potential Rh incompatibility exists in pregnant women. Normally the Rh phenotype is established by a hemagglutination test. However, a limiting factor with available reagents is that human IgG anti-Rh is unable to induce direct red cell agglutination. Although IgM monoclonal antibodies can directly agglutinate Rh-positive red blood cells, anti-Rh IgMs are frequently polyreactive and give false positives. In the Phase I SBIR application the investigators developed a novel human blood typing reagent consisting of a human IgM-like (polymeric) recombinant antibody containing the constant regions of human IgG and the variable regions of human anti-Rh monoclonal antibodies. The proposed polymeric anti-Rh IgG has been constructed and expressed in myeloma cells. This novel antibody is correctly assembled and secreted and most important: it directly agglutinates Rh-positive red blood cells. For the Phase II SBIR the following specific aims are proposed. First, to produce two formulations of polymeric anti-Rh IgG. Second, to determine the fine specificity and affinity of polymeric anti-Rh IgG. Finally, to compare the polymeric anti-Rh IgG with commercially available anti-Rh reagents. It is expected that the anti-Rh polymeric IgG will make Rh phenotyping faster, more accurate and less expensive.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II (R44)
Project #
2R44HL068307-02
Application #
6583668
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-SSS-O (10))
Program Officer
Mitchell, Phyllis
Project Start
2003-05-15
Project End
2005-05-14
Budget Start
2003-05-15
Budget End
2004-05-14
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$315,490
Indirect Cost
Name
Chimeric Technologies, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
121704543
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90025
Montano, Ramon F; Penichet, Manuel L; Blackall, Douglas P et al. (2009) Recombinant polymeric IgG anti-Rh: a novel strategy for development of direct agglutinating reagents. J Immunol Methods 340:1-10