A method for the simultaneous determination of serum and cell-bound IgE

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Immunoglobulin E (IgE) plays a crucial role in allergic reactions and immune responses.
• Accurate quantification of cell-bound IgE is essential for understanding various immunological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel method for determining total IgE bound to leucocytes.
• To assess the method's efficacy across different serum IgE levels.

Main Methods:

• A novel assay was developed measuring IgE released from leucocytes incubated in acetate buffer (pH 4.0).
• Serial dilutions of leucocyte concentrations were used to establish a relationship with released IgE.
• The method was tested using whole blood samples from subjects with varying total serum IgE levels.

Main Results:

• A linear correlation was observed between released IgE and leucocyte number within a specific concentration range.
• The assay performed satisfactorily with 50 ml of whole blood for individuals with very high serum IgE.
• Increased blood volume (up to 100 ml) may be necessary for accurate measurements in subjects with normal or slightly elevated IgE levels.

Conclusions:

• A reliable method for quantifying cell-bound IgE has been established.
• The method's applicability is demonstrated, with adjustments suggested for different patient IgE levels.
• This technique offers a valuable tool for immunological research and diagnostics.