A short-term-culture ELISA system to detect IgG and autoantibody synthesis by human lymphocytes

A simple combined culture and assay system for small numbers of human lymphocytes is described which permits rapid detection of immunoglobulin adherent to 96-well plates after 18 h culture, by means of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The method is capable of detecting thyroglobulin antibody secreted by cells obtained from fine needle aspiration of the thyroid and therefore allows investigation of B cells activated in vivo from different sites by quantitation of the amount of immunoglobulin or antibody secreted.