title: Interleukin-1 beta production in vivo and in vitro in rats and mice measured using specific immunoradiometric assays.
abstract: Activated cells of the monocyte-macrophage lineage produce two forms of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta, of which IL-1 beta is the predominant secreted form and has a wide range of modulatory effects on the endocrine system. Immunoassays of human IL-1 beta have been described, but are not suitable for measurement of rat and mouse IL-1 beta because of limited cross-reactivity. Polyclonal sheep anti-rat or sheep anti-mouse IL-1 beta antisera were used to develop sensitive and specific immunoradiometric assays for rat and mouse IL-1 beta. Secretion of IL-1 beta from endotoxin-activated monocytes or macrophages was measured in vitro or in vivo in both species. In vitro, rat monocytes and mouse macrophages produced IL-1 beta in response to endotoxin, with a relatively small proportion of total IL-1 beta being secreted. In vivo, endotoxin stimulated an increase in plasma IL-1 beta in both animals. The development of these assays will facilitate studies of the role of endogenous IL-1 beta in animal endocrine models.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, South Mimms, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire.
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Bristow
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mosley
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Poole
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000276:immunology / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D015592:Immunoradiometric Assay; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012756:Sheep
chemical_list: D004731:Endotoxins; D007375:Interleukin-1; D007376:Interleukin-2