Combined application of analytical high performance thin layer chromatography and electroblotting for the detection of anti-ganglioside antibodies in human sera.

Antibodies against gangliosides isolated from small tumour and nervous tissue specimens can be reliably detected in serum samples by the ganglioside electrotransfer technique without the need for previous purification steps. After separation by high performance thin layer chromatography gangliosides are transferred from silica gel plates to hydrophobic polyvinylidene difluoride membranes. These membranes are highly suitable for immuno-staining. The use of a 15-slit device allows simulataneous testing of up to 15 serum samples. Samples of serum from 39 patients with clear-cell carcinoma of the kidney, mammary carcinoma, ovarian carcinoma and neurological disorder together with samples from healthy controls were tested for anti-ganglioside antibodies from various tissues.