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Updated: Jul 26, 2026

Accurate and Simple Measurement of the Pro-inflammatory Cytokine IL-1β using a Whole Blood Stimulation Assay
Published on: March 1, 2011
A method for correcting for the variability of inhibitory effects of soluble human interleukin 1 receptor II measured
1Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD 21702-5011, USA.
Seven ELISAs were developed by using several combinations of anti-human IL-1beta antibodies for detecting interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) in cell culture supernatants. These ELISAs have different sensitivities in detecting standard preparations of recombinant human IL-1beta (WHO reference standard) compared with conventional preparations of IL-1beta produced by stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The observed differences were attributed to differences in epitope specificity of the various monoclonal antibodies used and the heterogeneity of IL-1beta secreted into culture supernatants. The presence of soluble IL-1 receptor type I did not alter the levels of IL-1beta detected by these ELISAs. However, soluble IL-1 receptor type II interfered with the detection of IL-1beta to different degrees in these ELISAs. A method involving standarization by means of separate measurement of the amount of receptor and its inhibitory effect in the IL-1beta ELISA, yields consistent estimates of the correct IL-1beta levels.
Seven ELISAs were developed by using several combinations of anti-human IL-1beta antibodies for detecting interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) in cell culture supernatants. These ELISAs have different sensitivities in detecting standard preparations of recombinant human IL-1beta (WHO reference standard) compared with conventional preparations of IL-1beta produced by stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The observed differences were attributed to differences in epitope specificity of the various monoclonal antibodies used and the heterogeneity of IL-1beta secreted into culture supernatants. The presence of soluble IL-1 receptor type I did not alter the levels of IL-1beta detected by these ELISAs. However, soluble IL-1 receptor type II interfered with the detection of IL-1beta to different degrees in these ELISAs. A method involving standarization by means of separate measurement of the amount of receptor and its inhibitory effect in the IL-1beta ELISA, yields consistent estimates of the correct IL-1beta levels.

