ELISA assay for measurement of human hemoglobin A and hemoglobin F

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the measurement of nanogram quantities of hemoglobin A and hemoglobin F is described. The assay employs hemoglobin bound to polystyrene test tubes. The antigen is quantitated by the addition of rabbit antibody specific for the hemoglobin type, followed by a second antibody of goat antirabbit gamma globulin coupled to alkaline phosphatase. Quantitation of the reaction is achieved by incubating the coated tubes with p-nitrophenyl phosphate. The binding characteristics, the linearity, the ability of the assay to discriminate between hemoglobin A and hemoglobin F, the ability to discriminate between native and denatured gamma globin, and the comparison of this assay with a previously described immunoradiometric (IRMA) assay are discussed.