Measurement of soluble and membrane-bound interleukin 1 using a fibroblast bioassay

Interleukin 1 (IL-1) is both a major mediator of inflammation and an important signal for activation and differentiation of lymphoid cells. IL-1 is produced by a large variety of cell types, but in most immunologic systems, activated macrophages are its major cellular source. This unit describes a bioassay for testing biological fluids based on the ability of IL-1 to induce IL-8 or IL-6 in fibroblasts. Also listed are sources of commercially available kits (ELISAs, immunoassays) to measure IL-1, and antibodies useful in setting up these assays.