Monoclonal antibody--specific immobilization of platelet antigens (MAIPA): a new tool for the identification of platelet-reactive antibodies.

The analysis of sera containing different platelet-reactive antibodies, eg, autoantibodies, platelet-specific alloantibodies like anti-PIA1, -PIA2, -Baka, and HLA antibodies, is still difficult. Recently, monoclonal antibodies against major platelet membrane constituents (glycoproteins IIb/IIIa and Ib and HLA class I molecule) have become available. In this report we describe a new assay that takes advantage of these highly specific reagents to investigate selectively platelet reactive antibodies against epitopes on different glycoproteins. The reliability and specificity of this assay is demonstrated with known platelet-reactive autoantibodies and alloantibodies (anti-PIA1, -Baka, -Pen). The discovery of a PIA2 antibody in a serum of a polytransfused patient underscores the efficiency of this technique. Possible applications of this assay are discussed in detail.