Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for quantitation of islet cell antibodies

We have developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection and quantitation of islet antibodies (ICA) in sera from insulin-dependent diabetic (IDD) subjects or from Bio-Breeding/Worcester (BB/W) rats. Whole rat or mouse islet cells, either glutaraldehyde-fixed or desiccated, which can be stored and used over a long period, were used as antigens. The amount of antibody bound to the cells is quantitated by the addition of sheep anti-human or anti-rat IgG conjugated with beta-galactosidase. This quantitative ELISA compared favourably with other assays for ICA detection.