Isolation and purification of Rh(e) antigen.

Rh(e) antigen from the human erythrocyte membrane has been isolated. The method of preparation was as follows: Red cell membrane was solubilized using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid followed by sodium chloride. The solubilized components were separated using molecular ultrafilters. The molecular weight class between 20 000 and 30 000 had Rh(e) antigen activity. The Rh(e) antigen was eluted as a single component using isoelectric focusing in a pH gradient of 6 to 8. This Rh(e) antigen inhibits the agglutination of antibody-coated Rh(e) positive cells. This also gives a high titer of antibody when injected into guinea pigs.