Calculation of the affinity constant KASS for solid phase antigen. A model system using monoclonal antibodies against the cat allergen Fel d I

J Immunol Methods. 1993 Jun 18;162(2):165-73. doi: 10.1016/0022-1759(93)90381-g.

Abstract

In this report a procedure is described to calculate the affinity constant of an antibody for solid-phase Ag. KSP (KASS solid phase) was defined as the reciprocal of the concentration of Ag required for half saturation of the Ab-binding sites, extrapolated to an infinitely small concentration of Ab (semi-saturation plot). Using this procedure, the affinity of IgE antibodies can be measured without interference from 'invisible' IgG antibodies. As a model system, mAbs against the cat allergen Fel d I were used. Serial dilutions of Fel d I-Sepharose were incubated with serial dilutions of mAb Fd1a and Fd1b, with or without rabbit antibodies as 'invisible' antibodies. The Ab-binding capacity of Sepharose-coupled Fel d I was low: 4.15% and 2.13% of the expected value for mAb Fd1a and Fd1b, respectively, and this must be taken into account when calculating KSP. The K values of mAb Fd1a and Fd1b, calculated from the gamma axis intercept of the semi-saturation plot, were 85 (pmol/test)-1 and 65 (pmol/test)-1 respectively. Using the semi-saturation plot, KSP of mAb Fd1a was not affected by the presence of rabbit antibodies against Fel d I, confirming the applicability of the procedure for measuring the KSP of IgE in patient sera. For one cat-allergic patient the KSP of IgE and IgG4 for Fel d I were calculated and found to be 62 (pmol/test)-1 and 147 (pmol/test)-1 for IgE and IgG4 respectively.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / immunology*
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibody Affinity*
  • Antigen-Antibody Reactions
  • Cats
  • Glycoproteins*
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Immunoglobulins / analysis*
  • Kinetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Rabbits
  • Radioallergosorbent Test
  • Radioimmunoassay
  • Sepharose

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Glycoproteins
  • Immunoglobulins
  • Sepharose
  • Fel d 1 protein, Felis domesticus