Responses by PBMCs to a panel of RhD autoantigen peptides.

Representative experiments showing proliferation and production of the Th cytokines γ-IFN, IL-10, and TGF-β by PBMCs from AIHA patients 1 (A), 2 (B), and 3 (C) and a healthy control donor (D) after stimulation with a panel of overlapping 15-mer peptides spanning the sequence of the RhD protein. Peptides are numbered 1-42 from the N-terminus. IL-4 was not detected in any of the cultures. The dashed line indicates the level of response taken as representing a positive response. Error bars represent SD. In 2 of the 3 patients, proliferative and γ-IFN responses are positively correlated (R_s = 0.42, P < .005; R_s = 0.1, P = .6; and R_s = 0.76, P < .001, respectively).