Clinical Immunochemistry

The rapid growth of specific protein estimations in the clinical laboratory over the last 10 years has been due to advances both in methodology and in the understanding of the role of the various plasma proteins in health and disease. This expansion has been made possible by the development of both gel phase and fluid phase techniques for the estimation of proteins and the ready availability of antisera to individual plasma proteins. The specificity of the immunological reaction has allowed the more precise identification and estimation of individual plasma proteins than was possible with dye binding or other chemical techniques, but at the same time these methods have introduced other possible errors and pitfalls. Advances in understanding of the structure and function of various plasma proteins has pointed the way to new clinical applications of plasma protein estimation in the diagnosis and monitoring of disease. The Symposium, of which these are the proceedings, was planned to bring together a number of experts in the field to discuss the available methods and their clinical application.

The book appeared in two previous Slovak editions for university students in Czechoslovakia. This edition presents a completely new version updated according to recent advances not only in immunochemistry and essential immunology but also in molecular biology, biochemistry and molecular genetics. The scope of the book is considerable since the goal was to cover the field of immunochemistry from the widest point of view including both the topic and methods of contemporary immunochemistry. Each chapter provides basic information on a specific subtopic, clearly and understandab ly, and presents principles of individual immunochemical methods. I am confident that the book will fill the gap between the books on essential immunology and highly specialised books on individual areas of immunoche mistry (e. g. on antibodies, antigens, numerous immunochemical techniques, etc. ). It may also prove useful for beginning investigators from different biological and medical fields as it supplies basic information needed for solving their scientific problems by immunochemical approaches. I do hope that readers will find the text stimulatory and pleasury to read. I wish to thank all colleagues and friends for supplying their own results, suggestions and for their encouraging comments. My thanks go also to the editors and publishers for their valuable contribution to the preparation of the book. 1 Introduction The term immunochemistry was coined by the Swedish chemist ARRHENIUS who used it for the first time in his lectures in 1907.

Blood Group Substances: Their Chemistry and Immunochemistry focuses on the characteristics, reactions, sources, and transformations of blood group substances. The book first offers information on human blood group factors and the methods and reagents used in testing for blood group antibodies and antigens. Topics include autoantibody formation and hemolytic anemia, panagglutinable erythrocytes, effects of temperature on hemagglutination, and effects of periodate on blood group substances. The text also ponders on the sources and purification of blood group substances. The publication examines the chemical and immunochemical characterization of blood group substances and immunochemical similarities and differences among blood group substances from various species. The text then takes a look at antibodies to blood group substances and their biological effects, including purification and concentration of blood group antibodies; studies with antibodies labeled with radioactive isotopes; and passage of antibodies through the placenta. The manuscript is a valuable reference for readers interested in blood group substances.

The most complete, up-to-date reference on antigen retrieval and immunohistochemistry An antigen is a substance that prompts the generation of antibodies and can cause an immune response. The antigen retrieval (AR) technique is in wide use across the globe, and is a critical technique used in medical diagnosis of disease, particularly clinical targeted cancer treatment. Antigen Retrieval Immunohistochemistry Based Research and Diagnostics discusses several scientific approaches to the standardization of quantifiable immunohistochemistry (IHC). Based on the development and application of AR by the editors, this volume summarizes recent achievements in AR-IHC and analyzes numerous cutting-edge issues for future research projects. Featuring contributions from a worldwide group of leading experts and research scientists in the field, this important work: Summarizes the key problems in the four fields of antigen retrieval Discusses the advances of AR techniques and their applications Provides practical methods and protocols in AR-IHC, such as extraction of nucleic acids and proteins for molecular analysis, cell/tissue sample preparation, and standardization and development of various techniques to meet the future needs of¿clinical and research molecular analysis Encourages further research in AR and IHC, particularly how AR methods might be employed for improved test performance and the development of greater reliability and reproducibility of IHC Includes an appendix of related laboratory protocols Antigen Retrieval Immunohistochemistry Based Research and Diagnostics is intended for clinical pathologists, molecular cell biologists, basic research scientists, technicians, and graduate students who undertake tissue/cell morphologic and molecular analysis and wish to use and extend the power of immunohistochemistry. It is also pertinent for most biotechnology companies majoring in development of IHC products. Wiley Series in Biomedical Engineering and Multi-Disciplinary Integrated Systems / Kai Chang, Series Editor