Sandwich ELISA for hemoglobin A2 quantification and identification of beta-thalassemia carriers.

Abstract

Hemoglobin (Hb) A2 (alpha2delta2) is a minor hemoglobin in human red blood cells. An abnormal increase in the level of HbA2 is the most significant parameter in the diagnosis of beta-thalassemia carriers. In this study, we produced two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that specifically react to the delta-globin chain of HbA2. A sandwich type ELISA was developed employing the produced anti-HbA2 mAbs. HbA2 levels quantified by the developed sandwich ELISA were highly correlated with those obtained from the standard HPLC method (r = 0.934, p < 0.001). HbA2 levels determined by the ELISA were 4.4 +/- 1.9% in beta-thalassemia heterozygotes compared to 1.4 +/- 0.8, 1.9 +/- 0.8, 1.5 +/- 0.8 and 1.5 +/- 0.6% in normal subjects, HbE heterozygotes, suspected alpha-thalassemia heterozygotes and HbE homozygotes, respectively. Using a cut-off value of 2.5%, beta-thalassemia heterozygotes could be separated from non-beta-thalassemia heterozygotes with the same accuracy as obtained using the standard HPLC method. More importantly, the developed ELISA was able to determine HbA2 levels in HbE-bearing individuals which could not be done by the HPLC method. Our results suggest that this sandwich ELISA can be applied for mass screening for beta-thalassemia heterozygotes, especially in resource-limited countries, where beta-thalassemia is highly prevalent.

• Authors: Surakit Kuntaruk, Thanusak Tatu, Tiemjan Keowkarnkah, Watchara Kasinrerk
• Journal: International journal of hematology (Int J Hematol) Vol. 91 Issue 2 Pg. 219-28 (Mar 2010) ISSN: 1865-3774 [Electronic] Japan
• PMID: 20066573 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Hemoglobin A2
• Hemoglobin E

Topics

• Adult
• Animals
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (immunology)
• Antibody Specificity
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (methods, standards)
• Hemoglobin A2 (genetics, immunology, metabolism)
• Hemoglobin E (immunology, metabolism)
• Heterozygote
• Homozygote
• Humans
• Immunization
• Mass Screening (methods, standards)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Reproducibility of Results
• alpha-Thalassemia (blood, diagnosis)
• beta-Thalassemia (blood, diagnosis)