A digital data interpretation method for hemagglutination inhibition assay by using a plate reader.

Hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) assay is a simple method quantifying relative binding activities of glycan-lectin interactions. Currently, interpretation of HAI data remains a manual task depending on visual observation. In this study we developed a digital data reading method for HAI assay by using the area scanning function of a microplate reader. This was based on galectin-3-induced hemagglutination inhibition assay. OD values showed a four-parameter logistic correlation with concentrations of galectin-3 inhibitors (R2 ≥ 0.97), and IC50 values were obtained from the curve fitting. The method provides an objective and robust data interpretation for HAI assays conducted with chicken erythrocytes.