Antigenic Structure of Human Interferon {omega}1 (Interferon {alpha}II1): Comparison with Other Human Interferons

• Published in: Journal of general virology Vol. 68; no. 6; pp. 1669 - 1676
• Main Author: Adolf, Gunther R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Soc General Microbiol 01.06.1987
• ISSN: 0022-1317; 1465-2099
• DOI: 10.1099/0022-1317-68-6-1669

Ernst Boehringer-Institut für Arzneimittelforschung, Department of Biotechnology, Dr. Boehringer-Gasse 5-11, A-1121 Vienna, Austria Recombinant human interferon (IFN) 1 (IFN- II 1) was compared with other human IFNs with regard to antigenic structure, using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. Antisera to recombinant IFN- 1 or IFN- 2c cross-neutralized the antiviral activity of other species of IFN- , but not that of IFN- 1. Antisera to IFN- or IFN- likewise had no effect on IFN- 1. Conversely, antiserum to IFN- 1 did not neutralize any of the other IFNs examined (IFN- 1, - 2c, - 10, - B, - F, - , - ). None of four monoclonal antibodies to IFN- , including a broad-spectrum antibody that neutralized all five recombinant species of IFN- tested, had any effect on the biological activity of IFN- 1. Various immunoassays for IFN- did not recognize IFN- 1. In immunoprecipitation experiments, radiolabelled IFN- 2c was not precipitated by antiserum to IFN- 1. In contrast, antisera to human leukocyte IFN or ‘lymphoblastoid’ IFN did neutralize IFN- 1, although with titres significantly lower than those towards the immunogen or recombinant species of IFN- . In conclusion, human IFN- 1 is antigenically different from human IFN- , IFN- or IFN- , but is a component of ‘natural’ mixtures of IFN species produced by virus-induced leukocytes or Burkitt's lymphoma cells. Keywords: interferon (HuIFN- 1), antigenic structure, human interferon Received 9 December 1986; accepted 5 March 1987.