Chromic Chloride: A Coupling Reagent for Passive Hemagglutination Reactions

TLDR

The CrCl3 method of coating red cells is rapid and simple, preserving serologic sensitivity and immunologic specificity. CrCl3-treated cells serve as an immunoadsorbent, enabling rapid preparation of monospecific antisera to human immunoglobulins. Immunoglobulin content in pathologic sera is estimated by measuring inhibition of agglutination in CrCl3‑coated cells bearing γG, γA, or γM globulin, while purified immunoglobulin preparations are evaluated for contamination by similar inhibition of agglutination. Passive hemagglutination using chromium chloride to bind antigens and antibodies to red cells was investigated, and group O human red cells coated with antigen by the CrCl3 procedure were shown to be usable in multiple serologic reactions.

Abstract

Summary The passive hemagglutination procedure using a chromium chloride solution to bind antigens and antibodies to red cells has been investigated. The CrCl3 method of coating red cells is rapid and simple, and serologic sensitivity and immunologic specificity are retained. The present studies showed that group O human red cells coated with antigen by the CrCl3 procedure can be used in a number of serologic reactions. In particular, use of CrCl3-treated cells as immunoadsorbent provides a rapid method for the preparation of monospecific antisera to human immunoglobulins. The immunoglobulin content of pathologic sera can be estimated by the degree to which the pathologic serum inhibits an appropriate agglutination system consisting of cells coated with γG-, γA- or γM-globulin by the CrCl3 method and of homologous antibody. “Purified” immunoglobulin preparations can be assessed for contamination by similar inhibition of agglutination of red cells coated with immunoglobulins by the CrCl3 method.