title: Detection of antiphospholipid antibodies by flow cytometry: rapid detection of antibody isotype and phospholipid specificity.
abstract: Laboratory diagnosis of antiphospholipid antibodies is important in patients with clinical features of the antiphospholipid syndrome, such as thrombosis and fetal loss. We have developed a novel method for the detection of antiphospholipid antibodies using flow cytometry. Anionic phospholipids cardiolipin, phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol are coated onto polystyrene beads of different sizes, allowing detection and semiquantitation of their respective phospholipid antibody isotypes. The results of the flow cytometric method closely correlate those of the standardised anticardiolipin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), but the method is quicker and is versatile in its ability to detect IgG, IgM and IgA antibody isotypes at the same time. The method promises to be useful in evaluating the significance of phospholipid specificity and antibody isotypes in patients with the antiphospholipid syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Etches
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Percy
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Chew
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Gordon
mesh_terms: D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000097:blood*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology; D002308:Cardiolipins / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D000939:Epitopes; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology; D008863:Microspheres; D011137:Polystyrenes; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; D002308:Cardiolipins; D000939:Epitopes; D011137:Polystyrenes