Flow cytometric evaluation of red blood cell chimerism after bone marrow transplantation in Iranian patients: a preliminary study

The aim of this study was to evaluate mixed red cells population and red blood cell chimerism after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Red blood cell chimerism after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was analyzed using a series of fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated monoclonal antibodies (BioAtlantic, France) directed against ABH, Rh (D, C, E, c, e), Kell, Duffy, Kidd, and Ss antigens on blood samples of 14 patients with hematologic disorders undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, by flow cytometric method on days 15, 30, and 60 after transplantation. All patients showed expression of donor red cell antigens within days 15 – 30 after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Graft versus host disease and ABO incompatibility did not affect the expression of chimerism. Flow cytometric analysis is a simple, accurate, and valuable test which is of significant help in monitoring chimerism in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.