Patent ID: 6844162
Filing Date: 2005-01-18
Classification: G01N,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A kit for use in screening a sample of body fluid for autoantibodies to the TSH receptor, which kit comprises. (a) at least one antibody, or fragment thereof that binds to an epitope present in, or derived from, the last 160 amino acids of the TSH receptor, with which autoantibodies to the TSH receptor do not interact; (b) a source of TSH comprising (i) a first binding region comprising said epitope with which said antibody of (a) binds, and which is present in, or is derived from, the last 160 amino acids of the TSH receptor, and (ii) a second binding region comprising at least one epitope with which autoantibodies to the TSH receptor interact, said first and second binding regions being such that said TSH receptor retains its ability to bind TSH receptor autoantibodies in addition to binding with said antibody of (a), whereby said TSH receptor can concurrently bind: said antibody of (a) at said epitope of said first binding region of said TSH receptor; and TSH receptor autoantibodies, when present in said sample of body fluid being screened, at said epitope of said second binding region of said TSH receptor; (c) means for contacting said TSH receptor of (b) with: whereby said contracting means allow said antibody of (a) to bind said epitope of said first binding region of said TSH receptor of (b), and said autoantibodies when preset in said sample of body fluid being screened to concurrently bind with said epitope of said second binding region of said TSH receptor of (b); and (d) means for monitoring binding of said autoantibodies and said TSH receptor of (b), so as to provide an indication of the presence of TSH receptor autoantibodies in said sample of body fluid being screened.