Immunorecognition of anti-serotonin antibodies by using a radiolabelled ligand.

Specificity of anti-serotonin antibodies to be assayed for immunocytochemical studies was tested in vitro by using a radiolabelled ligand mimicking the hapten structure. A good immunorecognition was found after coupling [3H]HT to a lysine with formaldehyde. Competition experiments by equilibrium dialysis were then carried out between [3H]HT-F-ALM and both conjugated and unconjugated indoles. The cross-reactivity ratios showed that the antibody recognition, though less specific than expected, was found suitable for immunocytochemical applications.