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A sensitive biological assay for interferons

J A Lewis1

  • 1Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn 11203, USA.

Journal of Immunological Methods
|September 11, 1995
PubMed
Summary
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A novel interferon (IFN) bioassay uses a reporter gene for sensitive and reliable activity measurement. This method avoids viruses and expensive reagents, offering a practical alternative for cytokine research.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Existing interferon (IFN) assays include bioassays measuring activity and ELISAs measuring protein mass.
  • Traditional bioassays often require handling viruses, posing challenges for researchers lacking specialized expertise.
  • ELISA assays, while simpler, are costly and measure protein mass, which doesn't reliably reflect biological activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a novel, sensitive, and reliable bioassay for measuring interferon biological activity.
  • To provide an alternative to traditional virus-based bioassays and expensive ELISA methods.
  • To establish a cost-effective and accessible method for interferon quantification.

Main Methods:

  • A reporter gene assay was designed, linking a reporter gene to an IFN-responsive promoter element.

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  • The induction of the reporter gene product served as a measurable output for IFN activity.
  • The assay's sensitivity and dose-dependency were evaluated across a range of IFN concentrations.

    • Main Results:

    • The reporter gene bioassay demonstrated dose-dependent IFN induction in the range of 1 to 100 U/ml.
    • The assay achieved sensitivity comparable to standard cytopathic effect bioassays.
    • The method proved effective for quantifying and detecting interferons.

    Conclusions:

    • A novel reporter gene-based bioassay offers a sensitive and reliable method for measuring interferon biological activity.
    • This assay circumvents the need for viruses and expensive immunological reagents, enhancing accessibility.
    • The developed bioassay can be adapted for other interferons and potentially other cytokines, broadening its applicability in biological research.