Heterogeneity in the ability of IgG1 monoclonal anti‐D to promote lymphocyte‐mediated red cell lysis

Thirty-four IgG anti-D human monoclonal antibodies (mAb) derived from 18 donor were assessed for their ability to mediate lysis of D+ red cells by lymphocytes in antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity assays. Cell-bound antibody was quantified and the mAb were compared at similar levels of sensitization. The majority (23/31) of IgG1 and all (3/3) IgG3 mAb were ineffective; two donors produced both lytic and non-lytic anti-D mAb. Greater sensitivity was achieved using fluid-phase antibody (as culture supernatants) in the assay than was obtained with pre-sensitized red cells. Minimum levels of 2000 anti-D molecules per cell were required for lysis using pre-sensitized cells. Partial D red cells (DIVa, DVa and DVI) were lysed by three mAb that were lytic with normal D+ cells. There was no relationship between lytic ability and Gm allotype or D epitope specificity of the antibodies. Four mAb to other blood group specificities were tested: two (anti-E and anti-G) were lytic and two (anti-c and anti-Kell) were not lytic. Possible reasons for the heterogeneity of the lytic activity by the mAb are discussed.