IMMUNODIAGNOSTIC METHOD FOR GRANZYMES

摘要

A method for determining a granzyme in a liquid sample by subjecting the liquid sample to an immunoassay for detecting the presence or measuring the level of said granzyme. The immunoassay uses at least one monoclonal antibody capable of specifically binding said granzyme. Useful granzyme-specific monoclonal antibodies are obtained when immunization is done with non-denatured soluble granzyme. Included is a method for determining a complex of a granzyme and an inhibitor of the granzyme. The granzyme can be human granzyme A or B, and the complex can be granzyme A/antithrombine III complex. The invention also covers suitable granzyme-specific monoclonal antibodies and immunoassay kits for determining granzyme in a liquid sample. The presence or level of granzyme, or complex of granzyme and granzyme inhibitor, may be used as marker for degranulation of cytotoxic T cells or natural killer cells and, indirectly, for activation of the immune system.