Evaluation of the development of specific lymphoblastoid cell line producing antibody from B lymphocytes in thalassemia patients immunized against KELL antigen by Epstein-Barr virus

Alloimmunization is caused by exposure of B lymphocytes to foreign antigens following incompatible blood transfusions and is associated with many hemolytic complications. One of the ways to detect blood group antigens is monoclonal antibodies. The aim of the present study is transforming of alloimmunized cells against KELL antigen in thalassemia patients by EBV-Transformation method and to produce lymphoblastoid cell line producing anti-KELL antibody.

In an experimental study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 10 thalassemia patients immunized against KELL antigen were isolated by ficoll hypaque method and exposed to EBV-containing supernatant of B95-8 cell line for 4 hours. After one to three weeks, the production of antibody-producing lymphoblastoid clones and the specificity of the antibody were examined by microscopic observation and microhemagglutination method, respectively.

The results showed that exposure of PBMCs of thalassemia patients immunized against KELL antigen with EBV viral soup caused the formation of lymphoblastoid clones. Examination of the supernatant of culture of produced clones showed that the antibody produced by these cells were able to identify red blood cells containing KELL antigen and agglutinate them by micro hemagglutination test.

Based on the findings, there is a possibility of PBMC transformation in thalassemia patients immunized against KELL antigen and antibody production.