A novel, quantitative bioassay for type I interferon using a recombinant indicator cell line.
We describe a specific and quantitative novel assay for biologically active human type I interferon (IFN), the MxR assay. It is based on a Vero cell line containing multiple copies of a hybrid gene consisting of the murine Mx promoter, which is responsive to type I IFN, linked to the human growth hormone (hGH) transcription unit. Exposure of this cell line to IFN-alpha or -beta for 12-48 hours results in the production of hGH that is measured by a commercially available radio-immune assay. The response to IFN-alpha is dose-dependent between 3 and 1000 units/ml. There is no response to TNF, IL-1 and a number of other cytokines and growth factors, and only a negligible response to IFN-gamma.
Institut für Molekularbiologie I, Universität Zürich, Switzerland.
R
R
Lleonart
D
D
Näf
H
H
Browning
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C
Weissmann
D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods*; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000032:analysis*; D064547:Myxovirus Resistance Proteins; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014162:Transfection; D014709:Vero Cells
D007370:Interferon Type I; D064547:Myxovirus Resistance Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D013006:Growth Hormone; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins