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Antibodies and their Role in Interleukin‐1 Research
Author(s) -
Gaffney Edwin V.,
Anderson Amy E.,
Pfanenstiel Yvonne T.,
Koch George A.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
immunological reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.839
H-Index - 223
eISSN - 1600-065X
pISSN - 0105-2896
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-065x.1991.tb00584.x
Subject(s) - george (robot) , library science , gerontology , medicine , history , art history , computer science
The preceding paragraphs describe several uses of specific antibodies to IL-1. Standard radioimmunoassays and ELISA procedures were developed with demonstrated utility in studies attempting to quantitate the cytokine in cell culture fluids. In part, antibody-based assays circumvent the problems associated with bioassays. Bioassays are difficult to perform, often lack specificity due to the presence of competing cytokines and are insensitive when used with complex biological fluids due to non-specific protein binding and the presence of IL-1 antagonists. Thus, bioassays have not been broadly applicable with specimens in a clinical setting. In contrast, monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal antisera have provided a means of identifying functionally important regions of the IL-1 molecule, monitoring the post-translational processing of IL-1 which may include biologically inactive moieties, and developing new assays as illustrated by cell blot procedures.