Studies on the antigenicity of polymerized bovine hemoglobin

Objective Based upon the results of experiments on animals, to conjecture the immunological responses after infusion of polymerized bovine hemoglobin (poly-BHb) in humans. Methods Antibody to natural human Hb, natural rabbit Hb and poly-BHb was prepared separately with rabbits by injecting the corresponding Hb with complete Freund adjuvant. In rabbits it was intended to study the degrees of antigenic activity as well as of the cross-reactions of these three kinds of Hbs. A large amount of poly-BHb was infused repeatedly into rabbits to study their immunological responses and reactions. The differences between the amino acids sequences, stereo-structures and the antigenic epitopes of these three kinds of Hbs were compared with computer simulation. Results The configurations of natural bovine Hb and human Hb were almost the same, and so do the antigenicities. No Ab and immunological reactions were found in rabbits after infusion of poly-BHb. Conclusion Inference can be drawn that there would unlikely emerge accidents in humans after infusion of poly-BHb. Of course, it needs to be proven further.