Isoelectric focusing and reverse immunoblotting of autoantibodies against high molecular weight antigens.

A method for the clonal analysis of antibodies against high M.Wt. antigens is described. It involves isoelectric focusing, electrophoretic transfer of the focused antibodies to a nitrocellulose membrane and detection of the membrane-bound antibodies by overlay with radiolabelled antigen (reverse immunoblotting). The application of this technique to the clonal analysis of autoantibodies against thyroglobulin and DNA is described.