Abstract
We report a new methodology for red blood cell antigen expression
determination by a simple labeling procedure employing luminescent
semiconductor quantum dots. Highly luminescent and stable core shell
cadmium sulfide/cadmium hydroxide colloidal particles are obtained, with
a predominant size of 9 nm. The core-shell quantum dots are
functionalized with glutaraldehyde and conjugated to a monoclonal anti-A
antibody to target antigen-A in red blood cell membranes. Erythrocyte
samples of blood groups A(+), A(2)(+), and O+ are used for this purpose.
Confocal microscopy images show that after 30 min of conjugation time,
type A(+) and A(2)(+) erythrocytes present bright emission, whereas the
O+ group cells show no emission. Fluorescence intensity maps show
different antigen expressions for the distinct erythrocyte types. The
results obtained strongly suggest that this simple labeling procedure
may be employed as an efficient tool to investigate quantitatively the
distribution and expression of antigens in red blood cell membranes. (C)
2005 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.
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