Which statement correctly distinguishes alloantibodies from autoantibodies in transfusion testing?

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Alloantibodies form against red cell antigens that are foreign to the patient, typically after exposure to donor cells during transfusion or via pregnancy. Autoantibodies, on the other hand, target antigens on the patient’s own red cells. The statement that correctly distinguishes them says that alloantibodies target foreign RBC antigens while autoantibodies react against the patient’s own RBC antigens. This distinction guides interpretation in transfusion testing: alloantibodies show antigen-specific reactivity related to donor antigens, whereas autoantibodies often cause broad reactivity with the patient’s own cells (positive autocontrol and often a positive direct antiglobulin test). The other options either omit one side of the distinction or describe the wrong target.