Detection of immune complexes using atomic force microscopy

: Complex formation between immunoglobulins and ligands immobilized on mica was studied by atomic force microscopy in two different systems. In the first system, 60-kDa ligands possessing only one site for antibody recognition were used. In the other system, a more complex interaction of human immunoglobulin with immobilized polyclonal antibodies was studied. In both systems, specific complexes with proper ligand appeared, and unspecific interaction was not detected. The method of revealing immunocomplexes by image atomic force microscopy can be used in the development of modern diagnostic systems.