Preparation and calibration of a reference preparation for human serum proteins.

A reference preparation for human serum proteins (RPHSP) has been developed to aid in the standardization of a wide variety of protein analytes commonly tested by immunodiagnostic procedures. The U.S. national RPHSP was used to cross-calibrate our reference serum by single radial immunodiffusion for the analytes alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 2-macroglobulin, ceruloplasmin, C3, C4, haptoglobin, transferrin, IgA, IgG, IgM and by Laurell "rocket" assay for albumin. The statistical evaluation of the cross-calibration study indicates high precision of estimates of the specific proteins assigned to the Canadian RPHSP relative to those of the U.S. reference preparation. Protein concentrations were assigned in both WHO international units (when available) and mass units.