Isotype determination is important for many reasons depending on your purposes. If you are looking at the response to a vaccine or looking at a person or animals sero-status, the isotype of the antibodies being detected can tell you about the response being made. IgG, IgM, IgA, and IgE all have different roles in the immune response and are produced due to different kinds stimulation or at different times. IgG subtypes can also give insight into the type of immune response that has been produced (Th1 vs Th2). Generally, higher levels of IgG2a correlate with a Th1 response, while higher IgG1 titers are characteristic of an Th2 response.
If you are concerned about using a certain isotype of antibody as the primary antibody for your ELISA, this is mainly important when determining the secondary antibody that you are using for detection. If you are using an IgG1 antibody, you can either use a secondary that detects IgG1 or one that detects all IgG.
If you have any specific questions please let me know!
I'm agree with James. The determination of the antibody isotypes offer additional information about the immune response generated. Besides, certain isotypes are characteristics of some tissues (for example, secretory IgA in mucosal tissues and secretions) or of some pathologies (IgE in the allergies).
I'm not sure if we have answered your question. Please let us know if you have other inquires. Best regards
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