Analysis of soluble human and mouse interferon‐γ receptors expressed in eukaryotic cells

Abstract
The extracellular domains of the human and mouse interferon-γ receptors were produced in insect Spodoptera frugiperda cells infected with recombinant baculoviruses and in mammalian Chinesehamster-ovary cells. The receptors expressed in both systems are secreted into the culture medium. Their signal peptides are cleaved off and the proteins show heterogeneity in glycosylation which, however, does not affect the capacity to bind interferon γ or specific antibodies. The soluble mouse receptors exhibit binding capacities similar to those of cell-surface-anchored receptors, whereas the human receptors exhibit a lower binding capacity. All soluble receptors inhibit the binding of interferon γ to cellular receptors and neutralize the activity exerted by interferon γ. These receptors could therefore be useful for structure/function analyses and in vivo studies.