Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the human glial fibrillary acidic protein using a mouse monoclonal antibody.

Two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) have been developed for the quantification of soluble human glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The specificity of the assays for GFAP is ensured by the use of a monoclonal antibody directed against a GFAP-specific antigenic determinant. One ELISA is a four-layer system working in the concentration range 5-600 ng GFAP/ml. The other ELISA is a five-layer system and includes a biotin/avidin binding reaction. The latter assay has a working range of 0.5-60 ng GFAP/ml. The assays may be used for quantification of GFAP in CSFs, amniotic fluids, and extracts or homogenates of normal and pathological brain material. GFAP in serum could not be quantified because of unidentified interference. CSFs from 18 nonneurological subjects were found to contain 2-14 ng GFAP/ml (mean 4.1 ng/ml), whereas amniotic fluids from 50 normal pregnant women contained up to 24 ng GFAP/ml (mean 12.4 ng/ml). GFAP concentrations in CSFs from 32 multiple sclerosis patients were found not to be elevated compared to the control group.