Applications for kodecytes in immunohaematology

Abstract

Red cells used in immunohaematology are mostly limited to those that nature provides. Very few techniques are available for adding new functionalities to cells, without affecting their intrinsic functionality or vitality. Kode Technology is a surface modification technology that uses amphipathic function‐spacer‐lipid constructs to rapidly and harmlessly attach bioactive material to cell surfaces (creating kodecytes) and nonbiological surfaces (koded surfaces). Originally designed to attach blood group glycans onto red blood cells for quality control use, the technology has since expanded to modification of any type of cell, enveloped virus, liposome and nonbiological surfaces (including plastics, metals and glass). Today, Kode Technology and the resultant kodecytes are being used in a range of cell‐based diagnostics, as powerful research tools, and most recently as a potential immuno‐oncotherapeutic agent; soon to enter human trials. Immunohaematology applications and opportunities to use the technology in the form of kodecytes range from quality control kits, competency training panels, diagnostic reagents with synthetic rare blood group antigens or infectious disease markers. The constructs can be used for solid‐phase antibody mapping and also have potential as therapeutics, including in vivo neutralization of ABO antibodies. Together with a large range of R&D constructs, Kode Technology remains the most extensive and easy‐to‐use technology for adding bioactive material onto the surface of cells for research and diagnostics.

Blood Group O→A Transformation by Chemical Ligation of Erythrocytes

“…Agglutination of A‐Ad‐DE kodecytes was only seen with lower dilutions of anti‐A. This is not unexpected, because these kodecytes are deliberately created to have fewer copies of the A antigen than natural A 1 RBCs …”

“…We further modified O RBCs with synthetic function‐spacer‐lipid (FSL) A‐Ad‐DE to produce “kodecytes” . A‐Ad‐DE is an A tetrasaccharide with a dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine tail, which inserts into the RBC phospholipid membrane through hydrophobic interaction and contains a short adipate linker to space the antigen from the membrane in similar manner to typical natural glycolipids (Figure C): that is, in proximity to the membrane …”

Current state of transfusion practices for ABO‐incompatible pediatric heart transplant patients in the United States and Canada

“…However, caution will need to be used in interpreting results from solid‐phase assays, as the presentation and types of antigens on these surfaces do not always equate with the specificity, affinity, and avidity that would be observed on natural tissues . Alternatively, standardized RBCs, in the form of kodecytes, which are designed to carry antigen profiles representative of the antigen profiles of the organ to be transplanted can be created . These ABO kodecytes can be standardized with respect to antigen type and concentration and are compatible with existing blood typing platforms and can be tailored to react with complement .…”

“…Alternatively, standardized RBCs, in the form of kodecytes, which are designed to carry antigen profiles representative of the antigen profiles of the organ to be transplanted can be created . These ABO kodecytes can be standardized with respect to antigen type and concentration and are compatible with existing blood typing platforms and can be tailored to react with complement . Such technologies may better reflect ABO antigens in vivo and lead to future standardized methods in the detection of ABO IH titers, which may reduce interlaboratory variability.…”

FORSCells: 40-days fixed prepared reagent for detection of anti-Forssman in humans

“…Due to this limitation, the screening of plasma samples for anti-Fs in a large population using FORS kodecytes is restricted. (10,12) Anti-Fs Ab are naturally occurring in human sera predominantly of IgM class but may also be IgG. The wavelength used to measure the absorbance of the supernatant was 492/630 nm.…”