title: Quantitative liquid-phase chemiluminescence ELISA: detection of subtle epitope differences in HuIFN-beta.
abstract: We have developed a new liquid-phase, chemiluminescence-enhanced, inhibition ELISA (LP-CEI-ELISA) to explore the binding sites recognized by two neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against recombinant human IFN-(beta)ser (rHuIFN-(beta)ser). In this assay, the initial antigen-antibody reaction occurs in solution under more physiologic conditions than in a standard solid-phase ELISA. Subsequently, the reaction mixture is applied to a membrane that is exposed to a second, peroxidase-labeled mAb, chemiluminescent reagents are added, and the membrane is photographically recorded. Competitive inhibition of binding of a second, labeled mAb by the first mAb decreases the signal detected. Two well-characterized mAb A1 and A7, have been shown to recognize distinct epitopes on rHuIFN-(beta)ser and to neutralize its antiviral and antiproliferative activity (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88, 4040-4044, 1991). In conventional solid-phase ELISA, mAb A1 does not inhibit the binding of A7 to rHuIFN-(beta)ser, but we observed partial inhibition in the new liquid-phase assay. In contrast, A7 did not inhibit the binding of A1, consistent with the solid-phase ELISA results. This observation suggests that in the LP-CEI-ELISA, A1 and A7 may recognize epitopes differently than in solid-phase assays. Thus, the LP-CEI-ELISA, which is simple, sensitive, and quantifiable, appears also to be able to detect subtle, conformational differences of epitopes not evident in a standard solid-phase ELISA.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Golgher
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Redlich
authors.forename: D O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Totti
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Grossberg
mesh_terms: D001667:Binding, Competitive; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000939:Epitopes; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a