An automated method for the detection of lymphocyte subset specific antibodies in multiple sclerosis sera

Cytotoxic antibodies specific for lymphocyte subsets have been described in patients with several autoimmune diseases and a role for these antibodies in the pathogenesis of these diseases has been suggested. We describe a quantitative and rapid technique for the detection of cytotoxic antibodies and for the delineation of their lymphocyte subset specificity. The technique is based on the automated technique for tissue typing and makes use of reference monoclonal antibodies which are mixed with the sera to be tested. Percentage lysis obtained with this technique correlated well with percentage staining by FACS analysis. The general applicability of the technique is illustrated by the demonstration of lymphocyte subset specific cytotoxic antibodies in sera from multiple sclerosis patients.