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Updated: Mar 28, 2026
High-throughput Flow Cytometry Cell-based Assay to Detect Antibodies to N-Methyl-D-aspartate Receptor or Dopamine-2 Receptor in Human Serum
Published on: November 23, 2013
Detection of Acetylcholine Receptor Blocking Antibodies by Flow Cytometry
Anndorie Cromar1, Bucky K Lozier1, Thomas R Haven2
1Departments of Pathology.
Objectives:
Detection of acetylcholine receptor (AChR) blocking antibodies through the use of a radiolabel has become standard procedure in most laboratories. Known drawbacks associated with radioassay, including cost of radioisotopes, hazards to laboratory professionals, and manufacture and disposal of radioactive materials, have prompted investigation into replacement assays. We describe here a high-throughput immunofluorescent flow cytometric assay designed for the detection of AChR blocking antibodies.
Methods:
In total, 323 serum samples were tested on both the AChR blocking radioassay and the new immunofluorescent flow cytometric assay.
Results:
Analysis of the results revealed a 96.9% concordance between the two assay methods.
Conclusions:
Our results indicate that a new immunofluorescent flow cytometric AChR blocking antibody assay is not only feasible but clinically comparable in both sensitivity (91%) and specificity (99%) compared with radioassay.
