A novel sensitive and selective bioassay for human type I interferons.
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.
Files
J G
JG
Berlex Laboratories, Inc., Richmond, CA 94804-0099, USA. jim_files@berlex.com
Gray
J L
JL
Do
L T
LT
Foley
W P
WP
Gabe
J D
JD
Nestaas
E
E
Pungor
E
E
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
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007369:Interferon Inducers; D007370:Interferon Type I; C579071:MX1 protein, human; D064547:Myxovirus Resistance Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins