One of our most popular offerings, double (IgG/IgM) depleted human serum, has been helping researchers perform vaccine development assays since 2017. Since then, we’ve scaled up our production processes to deliver large, multi-liter lot volumes and recently released a triple (IgG/IgM/IgA) depleted human serum.
With so many available options (e.g., double vs. triple antibody depletion, heat-inactivated serum vs. complement preserved), it can be challenging to know what to choose. We’ve gathered key information to simplify the decision-making process.
ADHC vs. ADHS
Throughout a vaccine development program, researchers will likely use both types of biological serum reagents. However, for individual assays, the choice between ADHC and ADHS depends on whether your specific application requires a reagent with intact complement activity.
Antibody depleted human complement (ADHC)
Our antibody depleted human complement products have preserved complement activity and are well-suited for functional antibody assays for vaccine evaluation.
Example ADHC applications:
- Serum bactericidal assay (SBA)
- Opsonophagocytic killing assay (OPKA/MOPA)
- Complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) assays
We offer single (IgG), double (IgG/IgM), and triple (IgG/IgM/IgA) depleted ADHC products. Our proprietary immunoglobulin removal process does not remove other major serum fractions, such as serum albumin, alpha1 globulins, alpha2 globulins, and beta globulins.
Antibody depleted human serum (ADHS)
Unlike our antibody depleted human complement products, our antibody depleted human serums are heat-inactivated to prevent complement activity. This is essential when used as a negative matrix diluent in vaccine immunogenicity assays, but is also valuable for other laboratory applications.
Example ADHS applications:
- Negative control sera
- Diluent to prepare samples for dilutional linearity testing
- Quality control serum (QCS) sample prep for assay acceptance training
- Proficiency panels for monitoring long-term assay performance
- ELISA and Luminex assays
- Neutralization assays
- Qualification panels that uniformly span the assay reporting range
- Other qualification activities:
- Qualification of critical reagents (e.g., complement serum, media components, filter membranes)
- Analyst training and qualification
- Laboratory equipment and assay room qualification
- Inter-laboratory assay transfer
We offer double (IgG/IgM) and triple (IgG/IgM/IgA) depleted ADHS products. Both options are available in a range of sizes up to 5L for your large-scale preclinical and clinical testing applications.
Note: All Pel-Freez antibody depleted human reagents come with a CoA that shares the amount of residual immunoglobulins as measured by HPLC and complement activity via hemolytic titer (CH50).
IgA-depletion matters for mucosal pathogens
Since both of our ADHC and ADHS offerings are now available with multiple depletion options, how do you choose between double (IgG/IgM) or triple (IgG/IgM/IgA) antibody depletion?
Double-depleted serum is often a smart, cost-effective choice if your study focuses on systemic immune responses.
Our IgG/IgM-depleted human serum and complement reagents are used by immunological researchers and some of the largest vaccine manufacturers to combat a number of significant pathogens, such as Neisseria meningitidis.
We developed our triple-depleted serum — with IgA removed in addition to IgG and IgM — to further support vaccine developers targeting pathogens with significant mucosal involvement.
Considering IgA during the research and evaluation process is particularly important for vaccine programs focused on genitourinary bacterial pathogens, such as N. gonorrhoeae, or respiratory infections such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or COVID-19.
Using triple-depleted serum can provide a more accurate assessment of how well a vaccine candidate stimulates new IgA production, in addition to IgG or IgM.
Not sure which antibody-depleted serum will work best for you?
As an industry-trusted manufacturer of high-quality biological products, our team is committed to providing our clients with the solutions you need.
Contact our experts today to discuss your specific application or request sample aliquots.
