title: Bioassay for tumor necrosis factors-alpha and -beta.
abstract: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a central cytokine in the pathogenesis of septic shock and other inflammatory states. Assay by immunoassay is convenient, but, because of circulating soluble receptors, does not accurately reflect biological activity of the cytokine. This article describes how to perform a bioassay for TNF, using its cytopathic effect on the murine cell line L929. By suitable manipulation, the assay can determine the two different forms of TNF, alpha and beta.
authors.affiliation: Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Evans
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods*; D005354:Fibrosarcoma; D006801:Humans; D008233:Lymphotoxin-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D008233:Lymphotoxin-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha