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Reduction of non-specific binding in immunoassays requiring long incubations

Lookup NU author(s): Dr David Cook, Emeritus Professor Colin Self

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Abstract

Despite the studies so far about the non-specific binding of antibody molecule to the plastic of solid phase in enzyme-linked immunoassays, background binding in microwell Elisa continues to be a troublesome problem. Non-specific immunoglobulin from an undiluted serum sample can adhere to the surface of a 'blocked' plate to result in a maximal signal in an antigen capture assay for specific antibody to render analysis virtually impossible in undiluted serum when using labelled anti-species antibodies. Yet it is desirable in many circumstances that the maximum sensitivity achievable by the simple expedient of using a concentrated sample (undiluted serum) be exploited, for example in the analysis of antibodies to HIV in the interest of earlier diagnosis. To circumvent this problem we have developed an alternative strategy in which a biotinylated capture reagent is preincubated with the serum sample for the necessary time after which the biotinylated ligand/antibody complex is itself rapidly captured in streptavidin-coated wells at 4 degrees C, with subsequent detection with labelled anti-species immunoglobulin. This manoeuvre enables the capture ligand to be incubated with undiluted serum sample for long time periods resulting in improved specificity of detection. By this means we describe a general method to improve the specificity of serum antibody immunoassays which will be expected to produce the benefit of more rapid diagnosis by signalling antibody production earlier in the abnormal state. Furthermore, our new method could be used to reduce non-specific binding in other immunological assays such as antibody arrays to which much attention has recently been paid.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Farajollahi MM, Cook DB, Hamzehlou S, Self CH

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Scandinavian Journal of Clinical & Laboratory Investigation

Year: 2012

Volume: 72

Issue: 7

Pages: 531-539

Print publication date: 01/11/2012

ISSN (print): 0036-5513

ISSN (electronic): 1502-7686

Publisher: Informa Healthcare

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/00365513.2012.702352

DOI: 10.3109/00365513.2012.702352

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