Journal of clinical immunology
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The reverse enzyme-linked immunospot assay was modified to enumerate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) secreting IgG1-4, IgA1-2, and IgM. Anti-human IgG F(ab')2 and mouse monoclonal antibodies specific to each of the isotypes were used as solid-phase capture antibodies and developing antibodies, respectively. Although attempts were also made to detect IgD- and IgE-secreting cells (SC), their numbers in the peripheral blood were too few to be reliably estimated. ⋯ The order of the serum concentrations in the adults was IgG1 greater than IgG2 greater than IgA greater than IgM greater than IgG4 greater than IgG3. No correlation was found between the serum level and the IgSC number of individual isotypes (except for serum IgA and IgA1-SC). This new methodology should facilitate investigating the current status of immunoglobulin synthesis and the Ig repertoire in adults and children, in health and in disease.