We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

EUROIMMUN AG

EUROIMMUN is an international provider of medical laboratory products for autoimmune, infection, allergy and molecula... read more Featured Products: More products

Download Mobile App




Novel Cell-Based Assay Provides Sensitive and Specific Autoantibody Detection in Demyelination

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 10 Apr 2025

Anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) antibodies serve as markers for an autoimmune demyelinating disorder that affects the peripheral nervous system, leading to sensory impairment. More...

Anti-MAG-IgM antibodies play a significant role in the pathology of this disorder, a connection that has been confirmed through pathological studies involving nerve biopsies. These antibodies target the human natural killer-1 (HNK-1) glycoepitope, which is abundantly expressed on MAG. A recent study published in Frontiers in Neurology has demonstrated that a new cell-based immunofluorescence assay (CBA) offers both sensitive and specific detection of IgM antibodies against MAG. This anti-MAG CBA is a valuable addition to EUROIMMUN’s (Lübeck, Germany) expanding range of assays designed to detect neural autoantibodies, which includes over 60 autoantibody specificities, with many being novel and exclusive.

The CBA utilizes transfected human cells that express the MAG/HNK-1 antigen. This method enables the antigen to be expressed in its native, folded form on the cell membrane substrates, allowing the detection of antibodies binding to these conformational epitopes. For control purposes, a biochip with mock-transfected cells is incubated alongside the transfected cells. In a collaborative study, researchers from the University of Verona (Verona, Italy) and the Paediatric Research Institute (Padua, Italy) compared the CBA with the established gold standard method, the ELISA, for detecting anti-MAG IgM. The study involved sera from 95 patients with clinical and neurophysiological evidence of anti-MAG-associated neuropathy, as well as control samples from 55 patients with other types of peripheral neuropathy. The CBA demonstrated a sensitivity of 98.9% and a specificity of 100% compared to the ELISA. The positive predictive value was 100%, and the negative predictive value was 98.2%.

The CBA technology offers several advantages. It reduces inter-assay variability and allows for the efficient preparation of large batches of standardized substrates in a short time. Its fluorescence stability permits multiple analysts to evaluate the slides, and images can be shared across different centers. The procedure is straightforward and can be conducted in any laboratory experienced with indirect immunofluorescence techniques. Fluorescent CBA is already employed in many labs to detect other neural antibody markers, such as antibodies to neuronal cell surface antigens in autoimmune encephalitis and antibodies to aquaporin-4 in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. The researchers conclude that the CBA is an easy-to-use and standardized technique for detecting anti-MAG antibodies, offering a sensitive and specific alternative to the more time-consuming ELISA. Additionally, the CBA allows for titration-based determination of antibody levels, which is essential for understanding clinical correlations. Future large-scale studies will further investigate the relationship between anti-MAG titers and clinical activity to confirm and expand upon these findings.

Related Links:
EUROIMMUN
University of Verona
Paediatric Research Institute


Gold Member
Veterinary Hematology Analyzer
Exigo H400
Serological Pipet Controller
PIPETBOY GENIUS
New
Gold Member
Blood Gas Analyzer
Stat Profile pHOx
New
Silver Member
Quality Control Material
NATtrol Chlamydia trachomatis Positive Control
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








DIASOURCE (A Biovendor Company)

Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: A simple blood test could replace surgical biopsies for early detecion of heart transplant rejection (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Blood Test Detects Organ Rejection in Heart Transplant Patients

Following a heart transplant, patients are required to undergo surgical biopsies so that physicians can assess the possibility of organ rejection. Rejection happens when the recipient’s immune system identifies... Read more

Pathology

view channel
These images illustrate how precision oncology Organ Chips recapitulate individual patients’ responses to chemotherapy (Photo courtesy of Wyss Institute at Harvard University)

Cancer Chip Accurately Predicts Patient-Specific Chemotherapy Response

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), one of the two primary types of esophageal cancer, ranks as the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and currently lacks effective targeted therapies.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.