The Laboratory for Medical Immunology (LMIM) performs laboratory tests for the diagnosis and follow-up of immunological disorders.
Who are we?
The laboratory is equipped with a broad spectrum state-of-the-art techniques and instrumentation. Two specifically trained Medical Immunologists supervise the laboratory and are in close contact with clinicians for interpretation of test results and advice. A group of well trained technicians stands for a high standard of performance. LMIM also participates in clinical research projects. LMIM is accreditated by the Dutch Accreditation Council (RvA) according to the rules given in NEN-EN-ISO 15189:2012 (registration number M153). LMIM is part of the Department of Experimental Immunology where both fundamental and translational immunological research is performed. This enables an up-to-date insight into recent advances in immunological topics and implementation of new diagnostic tests. Since April 2011 LMIM is participating in a Lean program which leads to continuous improvement of the quality of our service.
The laboratory test relate to:
- Primary and secondary immunodeficiency
- Autoimmune diseases: e.g. Rheumatoid Arthritis, SLE, Sjögren Syndrome, Systemic Sclerosis, Vasculitis, Myositis
- Plasmacell dyscrasias: e.g. Multiple Myeloma, AL Amyloidosis
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease: e.g. Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease
- (Latent) Tuberculosis infection
- Monitoring of immune therapies: e.g. B-cell depletion by Rituximab
What do we do?
Serology tests:
- anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA)
- anti-dsDNA-Nucleosome antibodies
- anti-ENA
- anti-tTG (tissue transglutaminase) IgA and IgG*
- anti-deamidated gliadin IgG*
- anti-smooth muscle
- anti-mitochondria
- anti-LKM-1
- anti-parietal cells
- antibodies specific for systemic sclerosis (immunoblot)
- antibodies specific for myositis (immunoblot)
- antibodies specific for auto immune liver diseases (immunoblot)
- anti-phospholipase A2 receptor (anti-PLA2R)
- anti-Aquaporin 4
- ANCA (vasculitis)
- anti-PR3
- anti-MPO
- anti-GBM
- pANCA (colitis ulcerosa, autoimmune hepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis)
- anti-CCP
- Rheumatoid Factor (IgM)
- IgD
- antibodies against tetanus toxoid (before and after vaccination)
- antibodies against Streptococcus pneumoniae (before and after vaccination)
- function of classical and alternative pathway of the complement system
- determination of M-proteins (serum and urine) by immunofixation
- quantification of free light chains (serum)*
- quantification and classsification of cryoglobulins
* authorisation and responsibility LMIM, practical realisation by the Department of Clinical Chemistry
Cellular tests:
- T, B and NK cells (% and absolute number)
- naïve, memory and effector T-cell subpopulations
- naïve and memory B-cell subpopulations
- enumeration of B-cells i.e. after Rituximab treatment (highly sensitive method)
- CD4+ regulatory T-cells
- activated T-cells (CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells)
- TCRγδ T-cells
- CD4-CD8-TCRαβ+ T-cells
- iNKT-cells
- Perforin and Granzyme-B
- proliferative capacity of T, B and/or NK cells
- IgG and IgM production upon B-cell stimulation in vitro**
- NK-cell function: degranulation (CD107a) and cytotoxicity
- NKG2D
- CD40**
- CD40L**
Others:
- Calprotectin (in faeces)
- IGRA (IFNγ release assay upon TB antigen stimulation)
- Cryopreservation of PBMC, plasma and serum
** these assays are not validated and fall outside the scope of the ISO 15189 accreditation
We also perform diagnostic tests for external clients. For further details see the NVKC Wie-doet-wat-database or contact Dr. E.M.M. (Ester) van Leeuwen or Dr. P.A. (Paul) Baars.
Contact information
Head: Dr. E.M.M. van Leeuwen
Medical Immunologists: Dr. E.M.M. van Leeuwen / Dr. P.A. Baars
Address: Academic Medical Center, Department Experimental Immunology G1-111, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam
Tel.nr. Head: +31-20-5667022
For questions regarding tests and/or results: E-mail Medical Immunologists: medischimmunoloogAMC@amc.nl / Telephone: +31-6-50063950
For questions regarding logistics: E-mail laboratory: LMIMdiag@amc.nl
For complaints, remarks and/or suggestions for improvement: E-mail: E.M.vanLeeuwen@amsterdamumc.nl