Measurement and Computation of Murine Interleukin-4 and Interferon-#x3B3; by Exploiting the Unique Abilities of These Lymphokines to Induce the Secretion of IgG1 and IgG2a

摘要

A specific and new method for measuring Interleukin-4 and Interferon-#x3B3;, based on the estimation of IgG1 and IgG2a isotypes secretion from B cells is described. An antagonizing effect of Interferon-#x3B3; in the production of IgG1 induced by Interleukin-4 was neutralized by using antibody to Interferon-#x3B3;. Similarly, the interference of Interleukin-4 in the Interferon-#x3B3; mediated enhancement of IgG2a production was blocked by anti-Interleukin-4 antibody. The high concentrations of Interleukin-4 and Interferon #x3B3; inhibited the secretion of IgG1 and IgG2a respectively. Therefore, in the assay described, the samples containing the cytokines were so diluted that their activity fell into the non-inhibitory zone. A computer program has also been developed for determining the concentrations of lymphokines.