Summary
Novelty: An immunologically-based diagnostic method for the identification of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) is disclosed. This method could potentially eliminate the confusion of RA with other similiar arthritides, including systematic lupus erythematosus and ankylosing spodylitis, the target of the diagnostic method is the (presumed) immunopathogenic marker, IgA-α-antitrypsin (AT) complex. The diagnostic method involves immunoassay procedures for its determination in plasma samples.
Biology: The efficacy of the immunoassay procedures, involving either monoclonal or polyconal antibodies in both competition and inhibition ELISA, was assessed and showed satisfactory sensitivity and specificity. However, the utility of the immunodiagnostic methods were not assessed in plasma samples from RA sufferers.
Chemistry: Conventional methods were employed for the isolation of monoclonal and polyconal antibodies against IgA-α1 AT complex or a synthetic sequence from this complex. These methods, and methods of ELISA construction, are exemplified. The synthetic sequence for IgA-α1AT is: Val-Ser-Val-Val-Met-Ala-Glu-Val-Asp-Gly-Thr-Cys-Tyr-Gly-Met-Phe-Asn-Ile-Gln-His-Cys-Lys-Lys-Leu-Ser-Ser.