Some post-transplant antibodies may not be detected because they are in complex with donor antigens. Does anyone have good suggestions on how to dissociate antibody-antigen complex in sera samples without denaturing the antibody? Thanks!

Good question. If it is IgM, you can use DTT or BME which break down the IgM and dissociate them from antigen. If it is IgG, I would like to know it too!

ozawa said:

Some post-transplant antibodies may not be detected because they are in complex with donor antigens. Does anyone have good suggestions on how to dissociate antibody-antigen complex in sera samples without denaturing the antibody? Thanks!

Have you tried to bind the complex on Protein A/G (batch or column), treat with 0.1-0.4M MgCl to dissociate the antigen and then elute the antibody with low pH.
Paul