Group antibodies as factors specifically influencing erythrocytes sedimentation rate

Abstract

The use of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) method has been recognized in monitoring the inflammation process, with a proven role of proinflammatory factors in the ESR increase. The aim. To reveal the role of group antibodies in the specific increase of ESR. Methods. For the study erythrocytes with EDTA anticoagulant were used. ESR was measured after the contact of erythrocytes with saline (negative control), standard anti-A and anti-B antibodies of the IgM class, polyclonal anti-A, anti- B, anti-A, B sera (experiment), as well as serum of group AB in a ratio 1 : 3: 0.2 ml of erythrocytes and 0.6 ml of saline or serum. The results were evaluated after one and 12 hours of incubation, at room temperature and at 4 °C. Results. Contact of anti-A IgM antibodies at a dilution of 1 : 30 with A erythrocytes led to an increase of ESR (from (3.25 ± 0.50) mm/h to (83.7 ± 1.60) mm/h) (p < 0.001) with a presence of a red precipitate. The contact of erythrocytes with polyclonal citrate plasma (or serum) in a ratio of 1 : 2 led to a similar increase in ESR in cases of the specific binding. Anti-A, B serum increased ESR of A erythrocytes up to (53.00 ± 2.64) mm/h (p < 0.001) with the presence of a red precipitate, while anti-B serum did not show such effect: (ESR — (5.25 ± 0.50) mm/h) (p > 0.05). It should be noted that the serum absorbed by the corresponding erythrocytes showed reduced ESR values. After the absorption of anti-A antibodies by A erythrocytes the serum lost the ability to specifically increase the ESR of A erythrocytes. Conclusions. Group antibodies are able to specifically promote ESR. The found ability can be reduced by the method of specific absorption of the serum. The physicians may consider the role of group specific autoimmune antibodies in developing high values of ESR. The therapy aimed to regulate the autoimmune humoral activation and specific absorption might be useful in normalization the ESR parameter.