Immunoassays for autoimmune research

Let’s take multiple sclerosis (MS) as an example. In MS, autoreactive T cells cross the blood–brain barrier and attack the myelin sheath protecting neurons. Using FluoroSpot, researchers can monitor IFN-γ, IL-17A, and GM-CSF production in response to self-antigens such as myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) peptides. The resulting data can uncover the balance between inflammatory Th1/Th17 responses and regulatory T cell activity – critical for understanding disease progression or response to therapy (Lalive et al., Front. Immunol. 2017; Reynier et al., Cells 2021).

Recent studies have shown how novel myelin-derived autoantigens can be identified with FluoroSpot, and how EBV cross-reactivity may play a role in MS development.

FluoroSpot also allows researchers to explore novel autoantigens – those elusive proteins that may trigger immune responses in diseases like MS. With the right stimulation and analytical precision, new disease mechanisms can be uncovered and fresh therapeutic targets brought to light.

Similarly, in type 1 diabetes, FluoroSpot can be used to track responses to insulin or GAD65 peptide pools, assessing how T cell functionality evolves pre- and post-intervention (Kent et al., Diabetes 2005; Coppieters et al., JCI Insight 2016).

Finally, in patients with autoimmune disorders who contract COVID-19, FluoroSpot has been used to characterize SARS-CoV-2-specific immune responses and how they differ from healthy controls.

To make the journey from hypothesis to data smoother than ever, our IRIS™ 2 and ASTOR™ 2 readers remove the complexity from analysis. These next-generation instruments ensure high sensitivity, minimal variability, and maximum confidence – qualities that have made IRIS a featured tool in MS studies.

Autoimmune diseases often involve elevated levels of heterophilic antibodies, like rheumatoid factor, which can interfere with immunoassays. Our ELISA PathRF kits are specially designed to counteract heterophilic interference, using tailored diluents that block false signals. So when analyzing samples from RA or lupus patients, you can trust your results reflect real biology – not artifact (Kricka, Clin Chem 1999; Ismail et al., J Immunol Methods 2020).

PathRF is especially useful for clinical samples where conventional ELISAs struggle. The kits are optimized for human serum and plasma, making them ideal for autoimmune research that involves cytokine detection, biomarker validation, or comparative studies across patient cohorts.

For broader profiling of soluble biomarkers, our EYRAplex system lets you quantify over 40 analytes in a single sample. With panels covering Th1, Th2, Th17, Treg, and proinflammatory cytokines, EYRAplex is ideal for:

• Screening for cytokine signatures in autoimmune patient samples

• Monitoring treatment response

• Identifying novel disease-associated pathways

Thanks to our novel buffer system and use of recombinant mAbs, EYRAplex avoids false positives caused by heterophilic antibodies – a common concern in autoimmune serum samples.