A Novel Sensitive and Selective Bioassay for Human Type I Interferons

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Abstract
We describe a novel MxA gene-induction assay for type I interferons (IFN-αIFN-βed on the specific induction of the MxA gene in cultured human cells. Accumulated intracellular MxA protein is determined by immunologic measurement by a rapid method using commercially available materials. IFN activity can be measured accurately over a concentration range of 0.1-30 IU/ml. In contrast, type II IFN and other cytokines are not significantly detected. The MxA -induction assay has advantages in terms of specificity, reliability, and sensitivity over other methods for assaying type I IFN. It has also been adapted and validated for measuring the titers of anti-IFN-β neutralizing antibodies in human sera.