immunofissazione

Immunofixation is a laboratory technique used to identify and characterize specific proteins, particularly immunoglobulins, in biological samples such as serum, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid. It is a more sensitive and specific method than standard immunoelectrophoresis for detecting and typing monoclonal proteins, which are abnormal proteins produced by a single clone of plasma cells. The process involves separating proteins by electrophoresis, typically based on size and charge, and then overlaying the separated proteins with antisera specific to different immunoglobulin classes (IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, IgE) and light chain types (kappa and lambda). Where a specific antigen (protein) reacts with its corresponding antibody (antisera), a precipitate forms, creating a visible band that confirms the presence and type of the protein. This technique is crucial in the diagnosis and monitoring of conditions like multiple myeloma, Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, and other plasma cell dyscrasias. It can also be used to detect other monoclonal proteins and to identify certain autoimmune diseases by detecting specific antibodies. The visual banding pattern produced by immunofixation provides definitive identification of monoclonal proteins, differentiating them from normal polyclonal immunoglobulins.