Rh Antigens of Human and Monkey Blood

Abstract

Summary and Conclusions Using agglutination and absorption techniques with antisera of human origin it was not possible to detect the presence in rhesus monkey erythrocytes of the Rh antigens C, D, E and c. the Landsteiner group antigens A and B. Absorption tests using salivary gland cells showed complete inhibition of anti-B in every cases, and partial inhibition of anti-D in only two cases out of 31 monkeys. No inhibition of anti-A or anti-C could be demonstrated. It was not concluded that all rhesus monkeys were Group B, but that some B-like substance is contained in their salivary glands. Anti-Rh sera could be prepared in guinea pigs from monkey bloods both individually and bulked. Guinea pig immune sera so prepared reacted identically with known human anti-D sera, after dilution or absorption with Rh negative blood. It was concluded that rhesus monkey blood contains an antigen of D specificity but that the antigen cannot be detected directly, either because it is too deeply situated in the cells to exert an influence, or because for some reason it has no available bonds with which to unite with antiserum. Monkey cells do not contain c substance which is antigenic, although other authors using absorption tests have found its presence in chimpanzee cells. A technique for preparing guinea pig anti-Rh from human Rh antigen is described in the appendix. Guinea pig immune anti-Rh sera prepared from monkey blood and human Rh antigen behaved similarly and contained the following antibodies: Anti-D agglutinating in saline Anti-D agglutinating very strongly in albumin Anti-D sensitising weakly. They also contained three similar antibodies against another antigen shared by monkeys and all humans.