Production of Antisera for Polypeptide and Steroid Radioimmunoassays

Abstract

It now seems practical to develop radioimmunoassays for almost any substance available in purified form. While polypeptides below a mol wt of 2000-3000 are poorly immunogenic and free steroids and thyronines are nonimmunogenic, these and other substances that fail to produce immune responses, may be made to do so by conjugating them to larger carrier proteins prior to immunization. The technique of radioimmunoassay has proven to be so simple and sensitive that it will be used in an ever increasing number of situations. This paper reviews the techniques used to prepare conjugates against nonantigenic and poorly antigenic materials, the techniques used to produce antisera, and methods and principles used to assess and to use those antisera in radioimmunoassays.