IMMUNOASSAYIMMUNOASSAY
Biochemical test that measures the concentration of a substance in a Biochemical test that measures the concentration of a substance in a
biological liquid, typically serum or urine, using the reaction of an antibody or biological liquid, typically serum or urine, using the reaction of an antibody or
antibodies to its antigen.antibodies to its antigen.
PURPOSEPURPOSE
• The purpose of immunoassay is to measure (or, in a qualitative assay to The purpose of immunoassay is to measure (or, in a qualitative assay to
detect) an analyte.detect) an analyte.
• Immunoassay is a method of choice for measuring analytes normally present Immunoassay is a method of choice for measuring analytes normally present
at very low concentrations that cannot be determined accurately by other less at very low concentrations that cannot be determined accurately by other less
expensive tests. expensive tests.
Common uses include measurement of drugs, hormones, specific proteins, Common uses include measurement of drugs, hormones, specific proteins,
tumor markers and markers of cardiac injurytumor markers and markers of cardiac injury
Types of
Immunoassay:
RadIoImmunoassay (RIa)RadIoImmunoassay (RIa)
A Remarkably Sensitive Bioassay
Radioimmunoassay (RIA)Radioimmunoassay (RIA)
Most sensitive test for detecting antigen/antibody. Most sensitive test for detecting antigen/antibody.
It combines the principle of radio activity of isotopes and immunological It combines the principle of radio activity of isotopes and immunological
reaction hence the name radio immunoassay. reaction hence the name radio immunoassay.
It is highly sensitive and specific analytical tool.It is highly sensitive and specific analytical tool.
Commonly used radio isotopes…Commonly used radio isotopes…
II
125125(gamma emitting isotopes)(gamma emitting isotopes)
CC
1414 and H and H
33(Beta emitting isotopes)(Beta emitting isotopes)
PRINCIPLEPRINCIPLE
The principle of RIA involves competitive binding of radiolabeled The principle of RIA involves competitive binding of radiolabeled
antigen and unlabeled antigen to high affinity antibody.antigen and unlabeled antigen to high affinity antibody.
Since the antibody cannot distinguish between Since the antibody cannot distinguish between unlabeled antigenunlabeled antigen both both
antigens compete for antigen binding site on antibody with the increasing antigens compete for antigen binding site on antibody with the increasing
concentration of concentration of unlabeled antigenunlabeled antigen more and more more and more labeled antigen labeled antigen will get will get
displaced from the binding site by measuring the free displaced from the binding site by measuring the free labeled antigenlabeled antigen in in
the solution, it is possible to determine the concentration of the solution, it is possible to determine the concentration of unlabelled unlabelled
antigenantigen..
The The label antigenlabel antigen is mixed with antibody at a concentration sufficient is mixed with antibody at a concentration sufficient
enough to saturate the antigen binding sites of the antibody molecule, then enough to saturate the antigen binding sites of the antibody molecule, then
the sample containing known concentration of the sample containing known concentration of unlabeled antigenunlabeled antigen is added in is added in
increasing amounts.increasing amounts.
General Procedure:General Procedure:
Two methods of estimating antigen-antibody capacity…Two methods of estimating antigen-antibody capacity…
1.1.Farr techniqueFarr technique
2.2.Antiglobulin coprecipitation techiqueAntiglobulin coprecipitation techique
Estimation of Antigen-Antibody Binding CapacityEstimation of Antigen-Antibody Binding Capacity
Farr Technique:Farr Technique:
In this method, the complexed antigen antibody is separated out from the In this method, the complexed antigen antibody is separated out from the
solution by precipitation with solution by precipitation with 50% ammonium sulfate50% ammonium sulfate. .
This technique is applicable only to those antigens, which are soluble at this This technique is applicable only to those antigens, which are soluble at this
salt concentration.salt concentration.
Antigen bound to antibody together with free antibody is precipitated by antiglobulin.Antigen bound to antibody together with free antibody is precipitated by antiglobulin.
Antiglobulin is antibody against antibody raised in rabbit or sheep. Antiglobulin is antibody against antibody raised in rabbit or sheep.
Free antigen will be left behind in the supernatant.Free antigen will be left behind in the supernatant.
From both these, amount of bound radiolabeled antigen is measured out at From both these, amount of bound radiolabeled antigen is measured out at
various concentrations of unlabelled antigen and a curve is prepared. various concentrations of unlabelled antigen and a curve is prepared.
Curve is linear over a limited rangeCurve is linear over a limited range unknown sample needs to be diluted such that unknown sample needs to be diluted such that
the readings fall within the linear range of the curve. the readings fall within the linear range of the curve.
After standardization, the experiment is carried out with unknown sample of patient’s After standardization, the experiment is carried out with unknown sample of patient’s
serum. serum.
Using the standard graph, the concentration of the hormone or unlabelled antigen in Using the standard graph, the concentration of the hormone or unlabelled antigen in
patient’s serum is found out.patient’s serum is found out.
Antiglobulin Co-Precipitation TechniqueAntiglobulin Co-Precipitation Technique
RIA - Technique
Applications of RadioimmunoassaysApplications of Radioimmunoassays
EndocrinologyEndocrinology
Insulin, HCG, VasopressinInsulin, HCG, Vasopressin
Detects Endocrine DisordersDetects Endocrine Disorders
Physiology of Endocrine FunctionPhysiology of Endocrine Function
PharmacologyPharmacology
MorphineMorphine
Detect Drug Abuse or Drug PoisoningDetect Drug Abuse or Drug Poisoning
Study Drug KineticsStudy Drug Kinetics
EpidemiologyEpidemiology
Hepatitis BHepatitis B
Clinical ImmunologyClinical Immunology
Antibodies for Inhalant AllergensAntibodies for Inhalant Allergens
Allergy DiagnosisAllergy Diagnosis
OncologyOncology
Carcinoembryonic AntigenCarcinoembryonic Antigen
Early Cancer Detection and DiagnosisEarly Cancer Detection and Diagnosis
ENZYME LINKED IMMUNOSORBENT ASSAY
(ELISA)
Antibody is immobilized on micro-plate wells Antibody is immobilized on micro-plate wells
Competition between in sample and labeled enzyme for antibody binding Competition between in sample and labeled enzyme for antibody binding
sites sites
The unbound material is washed out The unbound material is washed out
Chromogenic substrate added to develop color Chromogenic substrate added to develop color
Resulting color is read in a spectrophotometerResulting color is read in a spectrophotometer
Principle
ELISA:
ELISAELISA, or , or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assayenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, is an immunoassay , is an immunoassay
technique involving the reaction of antigen and antibody in vitro. technique involving the reaction of antigen and antibody in vitro.
ELISA is a sensitive and specific assay for the detection and quantitation ELISA is a sensitive and specific assay for the detection and quantitation
of antigens or antibodies. of antigens or antibodies.
ELISA tests are usually performed in ELISA tests are usually performed in microwell platesmicrowell plates. .
The ELISA test, or the enzyme immunoassay (EIA), was the first The ELISA test, or the enzyme immunoassay (EIA), was the first
screening test commonly employed for HIV. screening test commonly employed for HIV.
Engval and Pearlman in 1970 introduced this technique. It was later Engval and Pearlman in 1970 introduced this technique. It was later
developed by Clark and Adam in 1977.developed by Clark and Adam in 1977.
A 96-WELL MICROTITER PLATE USED FOR ELISA
Types of
eLIsA:
Indirect ELISA is the method of choice to detect the presence of serum antibodies Indirect ELISA is the method of choice to detect the presence of serum antibodies
against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the causative agent of AIDS. against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the causative agent of AIDS.
In this assay, recombinant envelope and core proteins of HIV are adsorbed.In this assay, recombinant envelope and core proteins of HIV are adsorbed.
IndIrecT eLIsA:
In this technique, the antibody (rather than the antigen) is immobilized on a
microtiter well.
sAndwIch eLIsA:
competitive eLiSA:
In this technique, antibody is first incubated in solution with a sample In this technique, antibody is first incubated in solution with a sample
containing antigen.containing antigen.
modified eLiSA:
Elispot ELISA:
Applications:
It is used for determining serum antibody concentrations (such as with the It is used for determining serum antibody concentrations (such as with the
HIV test or west Nile virus)HIV test or west Nile virus)
It has applications in the food industry in detecting potential food allergens It has applications in the food industry in detecting potential food allergens
such as milk, peanuts, walnuts, almonds, and eggs. such as milk, peanuts, walnuts, almonds, and eggs.
ELISA can also be used in toxicology as a rapid presumptive screen for ELISA can also be used in toxicology as a rapid presumptive screen for
certain classes of drugscertain classes of drugs