Red cell affinity column technology

Red cell affinity column technology (ReACT) was a method for detecting any clinically important antibodies in patient serum. Whereas gel agglutination is based on size exclusion of agglutinated red cells in an inert matrix, red cell affinity column technology was based on affinity adherence of red cells in an immunologically active matrix.

In ReACT, antibody-sensitized red cells bind to ligands attached to an agarose matrix. The main ligand is Protein G (prepared from Group C or G Streptococcus or by recombinant technology), which has high affinity for all four IgG subclasses. Another ReACT ligand is Protein A (from Group A Staphylococcus), which binds to IgG 1, 2, and 4.

A study published in 2002 showed a loss of sensitivity for detecting significant antibodies. Unrelated to the study the ReACT kit was withdrawn from the market soon afterwards.^[1]

References

^ Brumit, MC; Stubbs, JR (2002). "Conventional tube agglutination with polyethylene glycol versus Red Cell Affinity Column Technology (ReACT): a comparison of antibody detection methods". Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science. 32 (2): 155–8. PMID 12017197.

[Brumit-1] Brumit, MC; Stubbs, JR (2002). "Conventional tube agglutination with polyethylene glycol versus Red Cell Affinity Column Technology (ReACT): a comparison of antibody detection methods". Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science. 32 (2): 155–8. PMID 12017197.

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