RADIOIMMUNOASSAYS EMPLOYING IMMUNOSORBENTS

Abstract

ABSTRACT The use of a reaction between compounds in a two phase system – a solid phase and a liquid phase – has simplified the technical procedure of the radioimmunoassays. Antigens or antibodies can be coupled covalently to insoluble polymers to form stable conjugates with retention of immunological binding capacity. Such immunosorbents can be used in radioimmunoassays in many different ways and with the solid phase in different forms. Some of these techniques seem to be universally applicable for the assay of antigens or antibodies. In one of these, antigens or antibodies are chemically coupled to cyanogen bromide activated insoluble polysaccharides in a particle form. This method which has several advantages when compared with most other radioimmunological methods is discussed in particular. Finally, a detailed description of the preparation of an immunosorbent and its use in such a radioimmunoassay system is given.