Analysis of anti-lymphocyte antibodies by flow cytometry or microlymphocytotoxicity in women with recurrent spontaneous abortions immunized with paternal leukocytes.

The identification of anti-lymphocyte antibodies was investigated in women with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortions who received leukocyte immunization treatment. The antibodies were detected by two-color flow cytometric analysis (FCMX) and by microlymphocytotoxicity (MCX). Twice the number of positive patients (women who had been immunized with paternal leukocytes and produced antilymphocyte antibodies) could be identified by flow cytometry versus a standard microcytotoxicity assay (66 versus 33%). In addition, when mixed lymphocyte culture assays were performed to determine if serum blocking factors had been induced, those couples who were positive by FCMX showed inhibition of the mixed lymphocyte culture responses in contrast to most FCMX negative patients who did not. Thus, the sensitivity of the FCMX and its rapidity makes it an alternative to the mixed lymphocyte culture assay for assessing immunotherapy in women with recurrent spontaneous abortions.