Office of Technology Management
A Novel Immunoassay
for the Quantitation of C4 Gene Products
Summary:
A
unique immunoassay (1) has been developed that activates and covalently
binds serum C4 which is then quantitated using monoclonal anti-C4d, C4A
(Rgl) or C4B (Ch1). This assay has the advantage that it can act
as a functional screen for the early complement components as well as a
quantitative assay for C4A, C4B or total C4. When run in conjunction
with C4 allotyping, it can be used as a definitive test for the assignment
of C4 null alleles (1, 2). C4A and C4B null genes have been found
with increased frequency among patients with autoimmune diseases, eg. systemic
lupus erythematosus as well as viral or bacterial infection, eg.
Hemophilus influenzae. The quantitation of C4A and C4B enabled by this
assay can be an important tool in monitoring the immune response.
Technology Status:
This patent is
available for licensing from UT-Houston Health Science Center.
2) Moulds JM, Arnett FC. Quantitative and antigenic differences in C4 between American Blacks and Whites. Complement & Inflamm 1991:8,781-287.