Immunoradiometric assay of human leukocyte interferon using monoclonal antibody

Interferon research has been hampered by problems in its assay. The only widespread assays use tissue culture cells and compare some parameter of viral growth (such as viral RNA synthesis or host cell death) in the presence and absence of interferon. These complex biological assays, though sensitive, are laborious and subject to inherent variability. In particular, components other than interferon present in the assay sample often influence viral growth. There is clearly a need for a simple, direct, interferon assay; I now describe such an assay--an immunoradiometric assay utilizing monoclonal antibody.