Counter current immunoelectrophoresis

AIM: To check antisera for the presence and specifity of antibodies for a particular antigen by Counter current immunoelectrophoresis.

INTRODUCTION
Counter current immunoelectrophoresis (CCIEP) is a rapid version of Ouchterlony double diffusion (ODD) technique. The technique is used to check antisera for the presence and specificity of antibodies for a particular antigen.

PROCEDURE

Prepare10 ml of 1.5% agarose(0.15g/10ml) in 1X reservoir buffer by adding dry agarose to the buffer and heating slowly to dissolve the agarose completely.
Mark the end of the slide that will be towards positive electrode during the electrophoresis.
Place the slide on a leveled tabletop and quickly pipette 7ml agarose onto 50X75mm slide, spreading while releasing the agarose. Allow solidifying for 15min.
Place the gel plate on the template holder and fix it for CCIEP. Punch 3mm wells with the gel punch at position indicated for CCIEP.
Place the slide in electrophoresis tank and fill the tank with buffer.
Add 10 l of antigen in the four wells towards –ve electrode and 10 l of positive control antiserum and three test antisera in wells towards positive electrode.
Apply 50v and allow the electophoresis to continue for about 45 min.
Observe for precipitin line between the antigen and antisera wells.

Observation:

Here, pattern shows precipitin line between antigen and antisera wells.

INTERPRETATION
Precipitin line indicates the presence of antibody the antigen in the test sera.
The presence of more than one precipitin lines indicate the heterogenicity of the antibody for the antigen in the test sera.
The absence of the precipitin line indicates the absence of any antibody for the antigen in the test sera