Detection of antibodies to gangliosides using solid-phase reactants coated with carbonyl groups

Abstract

Methods of detecting antibodies to one or more ganglioside(s) of interest in a sample are disclosed which comprise using a solid-phase reactant having carbonyl groups attached thereon, and the ganglioside(s) of interest linked to the solid-phase reactant by an amide bond between an amino group of the ganglioside of interest and a carbonyl group attached to the solid-phase reactant. The methods of detecting antibodies to ganglioside(s) of interest can be used in methods of diagnosing neuropathies in an individual.

1 . A method of diagnosing a neuropathy in an individual, comprising determining the amount of antibody to a ganglioside of interest in a test sample from the individual by conducting an assay using a modified solid-phase reactant having carbonyl groups attached thereon and a ganglioside of interest linked to the modified solid-phase reactant by an amide bond between an amino group of the ganglioside of interest and a carbonyl group attached to the modified solid-phase reactant, wherein an amount of antibody to a ganglioside of interest that is greater, by an amount that is statistically significant, than the amount in a control sample, is indicative of the presence of the neuropathy.  
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising conducting an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determine the amount of antibody to the ganglioside of interest.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solid-phase reactant is a microtiter plate.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the test sample is selected from the group consisting of: blood, serum, cerebrospinal fluid and urine.  
   
   
       5 . A method of diagnosing a neuropathy in an individual, comprising determining the amount of antibody to a ganglioside of interest in a test sample from the individual by conducting an assay using a modified solid-phase reactant having carbonyl groups attached thereon and a ganglioside of interest linked to the modified solid-phase reactant by an amide bond between an amino group of the ganglioside of interest and a carbonyl group attached to the modified solid-phase reactant, wherein an amount of antibody to a ganglioside of interest that is equal to or greater than a reference amount is indicative of the presence of the neuropathy.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , comprising conducting an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determine the amount of antibody to the ganglioside of interest.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the solid-phase reactant is a microtiter plate.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the test sample is selected from the group consisting of: blood, serum, cerebrospinal fluid and urine.  
   
   
       9 . A kit for detecting the amount of antibody to a ganglioside of interest, comprising a modified solid-phase reactant having carbonyl groups attached thereon and a ganglioside of interest linked to the modified solid-phase reactant by an amide bond between an amino group of the ganglioside of interest and a carbonyl group attached to the modified solid-phase reactant.  
   
   
       10 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the solid-phase reactant is a microtiter plate.  
   
   
       11 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the ganglioside of interest is selected from the group consisting of: asialo GM ganglioside, GM1 ganglioside, GM2 ganglioside, GM3 ganglioside, GD1a ganglioside, GD1B ganglioside, GD2 ganglioside, GD3 ganglioside, GQ1b ganglioside, and GT1b ganglioside.