Isotype determination of antibodies.

ABSTRACT

Frequently it is necessary to know the amount and serological class of antibodies made by an immunized animal, produced by hybridomas, or present in the serum of patients with inflammatory or neoplastic conditions. The immunologist's approach to such a problem is to consider the antibody or immunoglobulin molecules themselves as antigens and to use anti-immunoglobulin antibodies as the specific and sensitive agents of detection. This unit describes two methods for measurement and classification of supernatant or serum immunoglobulins an ELISA and a method employing electrophoresis and immunofixation.