On the antigens of red blood corpuscles.

Abstract

Experiments reported in a previous paper 1 led to the view that specificity as manifested by precipitin reactions on serum proteins and agglutinin or lysin reactions on red cells is based on structures of two different sorts. While the differences are apparent in the case of heterogenetic lysins and isoagglutinins, the findings in agglutinins and lysins in general seem to indicate the existence in the antigens of substances other than proteins (but probably bound to them).

As a matter of fact, the antigenic properties of blood cells have been ascribed to “lipoid” substances by several authors since the work of Bang and Forssman. 2 It was difficult to accept this notion in view of the fact that extracts of erythrocytes made with organic solvents and supposed to contain the antigen have a feeble action as compared with the original material, and that the residues after such extractions are still active (Thiele and Embleton)

We have studied the antigenic properties of the akoholic extracts of horse blood cells, using the method employed by one of us for the heterogenetilc haptene. 3 By injecting mixtures of alcoholic extracts of horse red cells and diluted pig serum, we succeeded in obtaining hemolytic immune sera for horse blood stronger than those obtained with extracts alone. These sera, prepared by injections of extracts plus serum, or alone, differ markedly from those produced in the usual way by injecting unchanged erythrocytes. They exhibit a relatively higher ratio of lysin : agglutinin. 4 They are distinctly inhibited by alcoholic extracts of horse blood, in this respect simulating heterogenetic antibodies. Their hemolysins were completely absorbed by donkey blood, contrary to the behavior of the common hemolysins.