Elution of Blood Group Antibodies from Red Cells

By slowly lowering the surface tension of the aqueous medium through the admixture of 47.5% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and 0.1% bovine serum albumin (BSA) and by raising the pH to 9, complete elution of A, D, and K antibodies from sensitized erythrocytes (RBC) could be achieved. The eluates comprising the antibodies were subjected to dialysis to remove the DMSO and to neutralize the pH, and to ultrafiltration to remove the excess water. Recovery of a sizeable proportion of the eluted RBC (of blood groups A and K) proved possible by slow and careful removal of the DMSO with phosphate-buffered saline containing 2% BSA.