A Modified Tanned Cell Hæmagglutination Procedure for the Study of Organ Antigen–Antibody Systems

Abstract

THE tanned red cell hæmagglutination test, as devised by Boyden¹, has served as a useful and sensitive tool for the detection of antibody. In our experience, however, the method has been capricious when applied to the study of organ antigen–antibody systems in that red cells sensitized with heart or kidney extracts agglutinate spontaneously when suspended in diluent. These positive controls were not prevented by alteration in the tannic acid concentration, antigen concentration, or by increasing the protein content in the diluent. “Unpredictable stability of the cells and uncontrollable variation of the sensitivity of several batches of sensitized erythrocytes” have also been noted by other workers². The work recorded here is concerned with a modification of the original tanned cell method for the purpose of improving the reliability of the technique by preventing spontaneous hæmagglutination of sensitized erythrocytes.