Demonstration of anti-Wrb in a second serum containing anti-Ena

Many persons who are of a deletion or null phenotype with regard to a particular blood group system, form a complex specificity antibody or mixture of antibodies, when immunized. Recently, we demonstrated that M.E.P., the En(a-), Wr(a- b-) proposita in a family described by Darnborough has at least, anti-Ena and anti-Wrb in her serum. We suggested that the same two antibodies might be present in the serum of G.W., the En(a-), Wr(a- b-) propositus in the family reported by Furuhjelm et al. We have now been able to confirm that G.W.'s serum does contain antiEna and anti-Wrb and that the antibodies can be separated by adsorption. Because, at this time, it is not known if En(a-), Wr(a- b-) people lack other common antigens from their red blood cells, the possibility remains that the anti-Ena, separated from the anti-Wrb, might be a mixture of antibodies. These findings are important in that they show that reported typings for Ena were actually performed with mixtures of at least anti-Ena and anti-Wrb. Anti-Ena, lacking antiWrb, can be made only by adsorption of a serum containing the two antibodies, onto En(a+), Wr(a+b-) red blood cells, with recovery of the anti-Ena by elution.