The Human Immunoglobulin M (IgM) ELISA Antibody Pair Kit is intended for those who want the flexibility of setting up their own ELISA assay. The kit includes capture and detection antibodies and an IgM standard. It is designed for the quantitative detection and measurement of human IgM in biological fluids such as serum, plasma, and cell culture supernatants. IgM is predominantly found in lymph fluid and in blood where it acts as a neutralizing agent in the early stages of infection. Secreted IgM exists in a pentameric form whereas monomeric IgM is found on the surface of B cells. IgM constitutes approximately 10% of all serum immunoglobulins.

The assay is based on the sandwich ELISA method, in which samples are added to ELISA plates coated with capture antibodies specific for the immunoglobulin. The captured immunoglobulin is detected by addition of a detection antibody conjugated to alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Addition of the chromogenic enzyme substrate p-nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP) results in a colored product with an intensity directly proportional to the concentration of immunoglobulin in the sample. The concentration of the immunoglobulin is determined by comparison to a serial dilution of the immunoglobulin standard analyzed in parallel.

NOTE: This kit includes sufficient reagents for 6 x 96-well ELISA plates (Catalog #38019). ELISA plates and pNPP Substrate (Catalog #01917) are required for use with the Human IgM ELISA Antibody Pair Kit and are available for purchase separately.