Precise quantitation of antinuclear antibodies on HEp-2 cells without the need for serial dilution

PN Hollingsworth, RI Dawkins… - Clinical Diagnostic …, 1996 - Am Soc Microbiol
PN Hollingsworth, RI Dawkins, JB Peter
Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology, 1996Am Soc Microbiol
Using HEp-2 cells as a substrate, we developed a method to quantitate antinuclear
antibodies (ANA) by comparing the green fluorescence intensity of unknown samples with
that of calibrated standards. Intensity was then converted to international units per milliliter
by reference to a standard curve. This method is accurate and precise around the cutoff for
positively (5 to 10 IU/ml) and therefore provides a reliable screening test for active, untreated
systemic lupus erythematosus. Furthermore, the method can identify sera likely to contain …
Using HEp-2 cells as a substrate, we developed a method to quantitate antinuclear antibodies (ANA) by comparing the green fluorescence intensity of unknown samples with that of calibrated standards. Intensity was then converted to international units per milliliter by reference to a standard curve. This method is accurate and precise around the cutoff for positively (5 to 10 IU/ml) and therefore provides a reliable screening test for active, untreated systemic lupus erythematosus. Furthermore, the method can identify sera likely to contain autoantibodies commonly detected in ANA-positive sera (SS-A, SS-B, Sm, small nuclear ribonucleoprotein, Scl-70, and double-stranded DNA).
American Society for Microbiology