Use of the ELISA to screen for anti-thymocyte and anti-beta 2-microglobulin antibodies in leprosy and SLE.

A report is given of the use of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure antibody to preparations of human thymocyte membranes (HTMA) and to beta 2-microglobulin. The assay described is simple and rapid, and requires only small quantities of an easily stored membrane preparation. The advantages of this technique over conventional methods involving cytotoxicity are discussed. Raised levels of IgM antibody to beta 2-microglobulin were detected in sera from SLE patients. Raised levels of IgG and IgM antibody to HTMA were found in sera from most active lepromatous cases. Two of eight sera from SLE patients showed raised IgG anti-HMTA, but not raised IgM. An attempt was made to study the subclass of the IgG antibodies found, but when checked against purified human IgG myeloma proteins, the available anti-subclass sera were found to lack the necessary degree of specificity in this assay.