Murine monoclonal antibodies and human alloantisera specific for HLA inhibit monocyte phagocytosis of anti-D-sensitized human red blood cells.

Evidence is presented that monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against some human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene products and human sera containing HLA antibodies strongly inhibit immune phagocytosis of anti-D-sensitized red blood cells by human monocytes. w6.32HL, a mAb against a monomorphic class I antigen of high cell surface density, revealed the strongest inhibition among mAb reactive with MHC class I products. mAb with preferential reactivity for monomorphic and polymorphic DR and DQ epitopes (L203, L227, IIIE3, Tü22, Genox 3.53 and IV12) were noninhibitory. Definite inhibition was also apparent with a mAb against DRw52/MT2 (I-LR2) and with an antibody to class II antigens of high cell surface density (2MC3). Human sera containing HLA antibodies showed strong inhibition of immune phagocytosis up to a dilution of 1/1000. This inhibition could not be abrogated by platelet absorption. This indicates that human sera inhibiting immune phagocytosis may comprise at least two types of antibodies: cytotoxic HLA-specific antibodies which may or may not be inhibitory, and inhibitory antibodies against monocytic antigens not necessarily cytotoxic. These latter antibodies may recognize HLA DR or another as yet undefined gene product within, or closely associated to, the human MHC.