IDENTIFICATION OF HUMAN SKIN FROM A TISSUE FRAGMENT BY DETECTION OF SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA-RELATED ANTIGEN USING AN ENZYME-IMMUNOASSAY

A new method of identifying human skin from a tissue fragment by detec tion of developed. When an extract was prepared from 0.1 g human skin homogenized with 1 ml of phosphate buffered saline, this method was ab le to detect SCC antigen in extracts diluted 10(2)-fold. There was no difference in the detection limit between individuals. Species specifi city was good, and there was no cross reaction observed with skins fro m animals. Our method could also discriminate between skin and other o rgans or tissues, except for esophagus and lung. A practical case to w hich this method was applied is presented.