The double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is preferentially used to determine the concentration of unknown antibody in a sample. Pure antigen is not required in this assay; however, the use of a reporter-labeled detection antibody is essential. The double-antibody sandwich ELISA is suitable for epitope mapping of different monoclonal antibodies that have been generated against a single antigen. First, plates are coated with a capture antibody specific for immunoglobulins generated by immunization of a host species. Next, the test antibody solution (e.g., serum) is incubated with the capture antibody to facilitate binding. The plates are washed to remove unbound antibody, and then antigen is added. The plates are washed again followed by the addition of an antigen-specific reporter-labeled antibody. Following incubation, unbound reporter antibody is washed off, and reporter-specific substrate is added. Reporter-mediated substrate hydrolysis is visualized and measured. The signal is proportional to the number of test antibodies present in the serum.
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