Phage display reloaded: on the development of reliable monoclonal antibodies for potential Rh immune globulin production

Abstract

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In this issue of Blood Transfusion, McGowan et al. remind us just how efficient phage display has become to create phage clones using total RNA from blood filter containing B-cells as the raw biomaterial1. The application of phage display technology for the discovery of blood group antibodies, and more specifically anti-D, has been around for more than 30 years2. During this timeframe, the medical and scientific community has realized that the global need for Rh immune globulin (RhIG) cannot be sustained by blood donation for a few reasons. Previously immunized RhD negative women with a history of Rh isoimmunization are less common as the disease is eradicated. It could be argued that developing countries, with an incidence of Rh haemolytic disease observed previously in developed countries before RhIG, would be a source of plasma. [ … ]