Use of the ELISA to detect and quantify histocompatibility antigens and their subunits.

A solid phase enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) has been developed for the detection and quantification of human histocompatibility antigens and their subunits. The assay involves the binding to a microELISA plate of a mouse monoclonal antibody reacting with a common antigenic determinant to all HLA (A, B, C) antigens. The standard conditions for the assay and the curves obtained for the quantification of total HLA, free beta 2m, and free heavy chain subunit (alpha) present in a biological sample are described and the sensitivity and potential uses of the method are discussed.