Specificity of immunoassays. I. Effect of plasma proteins on the specificity of steroid immunoassay.

The theory of the measurement of the specificity of antigen binding by antibodies is reviewed. The specificity of steroid immunoassay has been investigated using a new solid phase radioimmunoassay system. The effects of plasma proteins on the specificity of the immunoassays have been tested. The methods used and the conclusions reached have been tested with homogeneous antibodies in order to simplify the interpretation of the results obtained. A new criterium of antibody homogeneity is proposed. The importance of correcting all results accurately for "non-specific binding" is emphasised. A new method for plotting radioimmunoassay standard curves is presented.