Production of a monoclonal antibody to human interferon-α (IFN-α) and its use to identify IFN-α-producing cells in virus infection in vivo

Date

1986

Authors

Jilbert, A.R.
Hertzog, P.J.
Burrell, C.J.
Gowans, E.J.
Linnane, A.W.
Marmion, B.P.

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Microbial Pathogenesis, 1986; 1(2):159-168

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Allison R. Jilbert, Paul J. Hertzog, Christopher J. Burrell, Eric J. Gowans, Anthony W. Linnane, Barrie P. Marmion

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Abstract

A monoclonal antibody to human interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) was produced using affinity-purified IFN-alpha, that reacted with recombinant human IFN-alpha 2, but not with IFN-alpha 1, IFN-alpha M1 or IFN-beta. Indirect immunofluorescence using this monoclonal (designated 6C3) and anti-IFN-alpha polyclonal antibodies identified cells expressing IFN-alpha. After Sendai virus induction of normal human buffy-coat cells the proportion of monocytes and lymphocytes expressing IFN-alpha rose progressively from 0% to 50% and 34% respectively, preceding peak IFN-alpha titres in the culture supernatants. Around 80-90% of polymorphs were IFN-alpha-positive using both antisera, with or without IFN induction, although very little IFN bioactivity was released to the supernatant of polymorph cultures after IFN induction. Sections of hepatitis B virus infected human liver tissue showed foci of IFN-alpha-positive infiltrating mononuclear cells and (to a lesser extent) fibroblasts in patients who had active cirrhosis and evidence of virus replication. These findings suggest that polymorphs constitutively express IFN-alpha 2 related antigenic activity, whose biological activity is at present unknown; and demonstrates the identification of IFN-alpha-expressing cells in sections of tissue undergoing natural virus infection.

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©1986 Academic Press Inc. (London) Ltd.

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