A rapid immunoadsorbent radioimmunoassay for anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody

Antibody to the human nicotinic acetylcholine receptor has been demonstrated in the disorder myasthenia gravis and is the pathologic factor producing the characteristic symptoms of the disorder. A rapid, quantitative and sensitive radioimmunoassay using human acetylcholine receptor, affinity labeled with iodinated alpha-bungarotoxin, and utilizing the immunoadsorbent protein A-bearing Staphylococcal aureus is described. The assay has proven as effective and more efficient than double antibody immunoprecipitation assays in diagnostic screening, evaluation of various forms of therapy, determining kinetics of receptor and antibody interaction, and the production of antireceptor antibody by peripheral blood lymphocytes in culture.