Sandwich ELISA for hemoglobin A2 quantification and identification of β-thalassemia carriers

• Main Authors: Kuntaruk S., Tatu T., Keowkarnkah T., Kasinrerk W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-77950916199&partnerID=40&md5=2330bcd8192514f0f1038ae443e9224f; http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/handle/6653943832/867
• Institution: Chiang Mai University

Hemoglobin (Hb) A2 (α2δ2) is a minor hemoglobin in human red blood cells. An abnormal increase in the level of HbA2 is the most significant parameter in the diagnosis of β-thalassemia carriers. In this study, we produced two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that specifically react to the δ-globin chain of HbA2. A sandwich type ELISA was developed employing the produced anti-HbA2 mAbs. HbA2 levels quantified by the developed sandwich ELISA were highly correlated with those obtained from the standard HPLC method (r = 0.934, p < 0.001). HbA2 levels determined by the ELISA were 4.4 ± 1.9% in β-thalassemia heterozygotes compared to 1.4 ± 0.8, 1.9 ± 0.8, 1.5 ± 0.8 and 1.5 ± 0.6% in normal subjects, HbE heterozygotes, suspected α-thalassemia heterozygotes and HbE homozygotes, respectively. Using a cut-off value of 2.5%, β-thalassemia heterozygotes could be separated from non-β-thalassemia heterozygotes with the same accuracy as obtained using the standard HPLC method. More importantly, the developed ELISA was able to determine HbA2 levels in HbE-bearing individuals which could not be done by the HPLC method. Our results suggest that this sandwich ELISA can be applied for mass screening for β-thalassemia heterozygotes, especially in resource-limited countries, where β-thalassemia is highly prevalent. © 2010 The Japanese Society of Hematology.