Isotype-specific enzyme immunoassay for influenza antibody with monoclonal antibodies to human immunoglobulins.

Mouse monoclonal antibodies specific for human immunoglobulin isotypes were investigated for use in an isotype-specific enzyme immunoassay for detection of antibody to influenza type A hemagglutinin (H1 and H3). The monoclonal antibody reagents were compared with isotype-specific, hyperimmune rabbit antisera from the National Institutes of Health. Endpoint titers for immunoglobulin G (IgG) obtained with the two reagents were within fourfold of each other 84% of the time (79 of 84) and within eightfold of each other 95% of the time (89 of 94). Regression analysis of the data gave a multiple correlation coefficient (r2) of 0.77 and a Spearman rank value of 0.83 (P less than 0.001). For IgA reagents, endpoint titers agreed within fourfold 77% of the time (88 of 114) and within eightfold 92% of the time (105 of 114). The r2 was 0.73, and Spearman rank was 0.83 (P less than 0.001). IgM antibody was detected in only 17 of 114 sera by either monoclonal or polyclonal reagents. Of these sera, 14 (82%) gave titers with the two reagents that were within fourfold of each other. A similar number of fourfold titer rises were detected with each reagent in paired sera showing hemagglutination inhibition titer rises. Monoclonal antibody reagents detected 27 IgA, 29 IgG, and 6 IgM rises, while polyclonal antisera detected 26 IgA, 31 IgG, and 7 IgM rises. These results show that monoclonal antibodies specific for human immunoglobulin isotypes are suitable as reagents for diagnostic assays. The advantages of monoclonal antibodies are their high degree of specificity and the ability to be standardized and produced in unlimited quantities. Moreover, the availability of immunoglobulin subclass- and allotype-specific monoclonal antibodies will enable a more detailed analysis of the antibody response to influenza as well as other infectious agents.