An ELISA method for detecting antibodies to the T cell antigen receptor

An ELISA method for the detection of monoclonal antibodies (MAb) to the T3-T cell antigen receptor (TCR) complex was devised. The T3-TCR complex was solubilised using digitonin and a rat anti-T3 MAb (Campath 3) was used to bind it to an ELISA plate. Normal rat serum was used to block cross-reactivity between the rat MAb and peroxidase-conjugated rabbit anti-mouse immunoglobulins. The assay was tested on four T cell tumour lines and successfully detected MAbs to TCR beta chain variable regions, as well as the anti-T3 MAb UCHT1. Other anti-T3 MAbs were not detected because Campath 3 blocked their binding. None of a panel of MAbs reacting with other T cell surface antigens reacted in the assay.