title: A novel sensitive and selective bioassay for human type I interferons.
abstract: We describe a novel MxA gene-induction assay for type I interferons (IFN-alpha and IFN-beta) based on the specific induction of the MxA gene in cultured human cells. Accumulated intracellular MxA protein is determined by immunologic measurement by a rapid method using commercially available materials. IFN activity can be measured accurately over a concentration range of 0.1-30 IU/ml. In contrast, type II IFN and other cytokines are not significantly detected. The MxA-induction assay has advantages in terms of specificity, reliability, and sensitivity over other methods for assaying type I IFN. It has also been adapted and validated for measuring the titers of anti-IFN-beta neutralizing antibodies in human sera.
authors.affiliation: Berlex Laboratories, Inc., Richmond, CA 94804-0099, USA. jim_files@berlex.com
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Files
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: L T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Do
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Foley
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Gabe
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nestaas
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pungor
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000235:genetics* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001681:Biological Assay; D002460:Cell Line; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007369:Interferon Inducers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D064547:Myxovirus Resistance Proteins; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007369:Interferon Inducers; D007370:Interferon Type I; C579071:MX1 protein, human; D064547:Myxovirus Resistance Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins