Publications

Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research: Thank you for joining us today for this interview and congratulations on receiving the 2023 ICIS Honorary Lifetime Membership Award

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with immune dysregulation, severe respiratory failure, and multiple organ dysfunction caused by a cytokine storm involving high blood levels of ferritin and IL-18. Furthermore, there is a resemblance between COVID-19 and macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) characterized by high concentrations of soluble CD163 (sCD163) receptor and IL-18. High levels of ferritin, IL-18, and sCD163 receptor are associated with \u201chyperferritinemic syndrome\u201d, a family of diseases that appears to include COVID-19. In this retrospective cohort study, we tested the association and intercorrelations in the serum levels of ferritin, sCD163, and IL-18 and their impact on the prognosis of COVID-19. We analyzed data of 70 hospitalized patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The levels of sCD163, ferritin, and IL-18 were measured and the correlation of these parameters with the respiratory deterioration and overall 30-day survival was assessed. Among the 70 patients, 60 survived 30 days from hospitalization. There were substantial differences between the subjects who were alive following 30 days compared to those who expired. The differences were referring to lymphocyte and leukocyte count, CRP, D-dimer, ferritin, sCD163, and IL-18. Results showed high levels of IL-18 (median, 444 pg/mL in the survival group compared with 916 pg/mL in the mortality group, p-value 8.54 × 102), a statistically significant rise in levels of ferritin (median, 484 ng/mL in the survival group compared with 1004 ng/mL in the mortality group p-value, 7.94 × 103), and an elevated value of in sCD163 (mean, 559 ng/mL in the survival group compared with 840 ng/mL in the mortality group, p-value 1.68 × 102). There was no significant correlation between the rise of ferritin and the levels sCD163 or IL-18. Taken together, sCD163, ferritin, and IL-18 were found to correlate with the severity of COVID-19 infection. Although these markers are associated with COVID-19 and might contribute to the cytokine storm, no intercorrelation was found among them. It cannot be excluded though that the results depend on the timing of sampling, assuming that they play distinct roles in different stages of the disease course. The data represented herein may provide clinical benefit in improving our understanding of the pathological course of the disease. Furthermore, measuring these biomarkers during the disease progression may help target them at the right time and refine the decision-making regarding the requirement for hospitalization.

In the era of bioinformatics, big data and high throughput techniques it is quite tempting to forget the advantage of the good old techniques such as affinity chromatography, in the search of yet unknown protein molecules. Not so long ago this very efficient and straightforward technique yielded in quite a short time numerous bioactive molecules thus opening new fields of basic research. And I specifically refer to ligand affinity chromatography. This type of separation is based on unique interaction between the target analyte and a ligand coupled covalently to a resin [1,2]. It is a simple, rapid, selective, and efficient purification procedure of proteins. Tens of thousands fold purification is achieved in one step, which is crucial when an extremely rich sources of naturally occurring proteins such as human urine or plasma or spinal fluid are used [3]. [First paragraph]

Together with IL-12 or IL-15, interleukin-18 (IL-18) plays a major role in the production of interferon-γ from T-cells and natural killer cells; thus, IL-18 is considered to have a major role in the Th1 response. However, without IL-12, IL-18 is proinflammatory in an IFNγ independent manner. IL-18 is a member of the IL-1 family of cytokines and similar to IL-1β, the cytokine is synthesized as an inactive precursor requiring processing by caspase-1 into an active cytokine. IL-18 is also present as an integral membrane protein but requires caspase-1 for full activity in order to induce IFNγ. Uniquely, unlike IL-1β, the IL-18 precursor is constitutively present in nearly all cells in healthy humans and animals. The activity of IL-18 is balanced by the presence of a high-affinity, naturally occurring IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP). In humans, increased disease severity can be associated with an imbalance of IL-18 to IL-18BP such that the levels of free IL-18 are elevated in the circulation. Increasing number of studies have expanded the role of IL-18 in mediating inflammation in animal models of disease using the IL-18BP, IL-18 deficient mice, neutralization of IL-18 or deficiency in the IL-18 receptor alpha chain. A role for IL-18 has been implicated in several autoimmune diseases, myocardial function, emphysema, metabolic syndromes, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, macrophage activation syndrome, sepsis and acute kidney injury, although paradoxically, in some models of disease, IL-18 is protective. The IL-18BP has been used safely in humans and clinical trials of IL-18BP as well as neutralizing anti-IL-18 antibodies are being tested in various diseases.

Newly cloned interleukin 1 (IL-1) family members13 were originally given an IL-1 family (IL-1F) designation4, but as functions have now been elucidated for several of these5,6, we propose that each now be assigned an individual interleukin designation. IL-1F6, IL-1F8 and IL-1F9 are encoded by distinct genes but use the same receptor complex (IL-1Rrp2 and AcP), are proinflammatory and deliver nearly identical signals712. We propose these be designated IL-36α, IL-36β and IL-36γ, respectively. IL-1F5 also binds to IL-1Rrp2 but antagonizes those cytokines in a manner analogous to that used by IL-1Ra to antagonize IL-1α and IL-1β79. We propose that IL-1F5 be renamed IL-36Ra (for receptor antagonist). In the IL-1 nomenclature, IL-1Ra is used for the natural product, whereas IL-1ra is used for the recombinant product; therefore, IL-36Ra is appropriate for natural IL-1F5. [first paragraph]

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is an inflammation-related cytokine that plays a central role both in innate defense reactions and in Th1 activation and specific immune responses. Increased levels of IL-18 can be detected in biological fluids and organs of individuals affected by several autoimmune pathologies, as well as in autoimmune animal models. In this review, the role of IL-18 in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is critically examined, including its possible role in the pathogenesis of disease. In SLE, increased levels of IL-18 have been found in serum/plasma of affected persons, which positively correlated with disease severity. The possibility that circulating IL-18 levels are predictive of renal damage has been proposed, suggesting that IL-18 may be a prognostic marker of renal involvement useful to identify patients at risk of renal failure. The evaluation of urinary levels of free active IL-18 indeed suggests a correlation with the degree of renal involvement. The possible pathogenic role of IL-18 in lupus has been studied in a mouse model of progressive disease, which makes possible the identification, at the level of the different affected organs, of IL-18 changes preceding disease development and those appearing after disease onset. It can be concluded that IL-18 has a multifaceted role in autoimmune lupus, being apparently involved both in the effector phases of the late organ damage and, in some organs, in the initial pathogenic events. Therapeutic strategies targeting IL-18 in autoimmunity are under development.

Keywords: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Cell Biology; Immunology

OBJECTIVE - To investigate free interleukin-18 (fIL-18) levels, and variation within the IL-18 system genes, in heart surgery patients, and healthy men. METHODS AND RESULTS - fIL-18 was calculated from IL-18 and IL-18 binding protein (BP) levels, in 421 healthy men and 196 post-coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients. After surgery, fIL-18 peaked at 6 hours (from 117 to 331 pg/mL) but fell to below presurgery levels at 24 hours (99 pg/mL), because of changes in total IL-18 and IL-18BP. fIL-18 24 hours postsurgery was significantly higher in those who suffered a major complication after surgery (125 versus 80 pg/mL, P

Interleukin 18 (IL-18) is an important pro-inflammatory cytokine in the early phase of human immune response to microbial infections. The influence of strenuous exercise on the intrinsic balance of IL-18 and its endogenous antagonist IL-18 binding protein (IL-18 BP) is unknown, but could be of major relevance for the athlete's immune function empirically and epidemiologically proven to be altered after exhaustive exertion. To study the effect of strenuous marathon cycling on the interaction of IL-18 and IL-18 BP we investigated 37 male, healthy, and well-trained amateur cyclists participating in the Ötztaler Radmarathon in Tyrol (distance: 230km; cumulative altitude difference: 5500m). IL-18 was measured by a commercially available ELISA-Kit and IL-18 BP by a novel IL-18 BP ELISA method. Free, unbound IL-18 was calculated according to a standard equation. The mean plasma level of IL-18 was 142.27 ± 21.85 pg/ml pre-race, remained nearly unchanged (124.35 ± 13.16 pg/ml; p = 1.0) immediately after competition (mean race time 9 h 38 min), but declined significantly 24 h afterward (62.92 ± 6.80 pg/ml; p = 0.002). The plasma levels of IL-18 BP increased considerably immediately after and kept on rising for the following 24 h (pre-race: 1.51 ± 0.20 ng/ml; immediately post-race: 3.84 ± 0.26 ng/ml, p

Keywords: Obstetrics & Gynecology

Steady state mRNA levels in various human tissues reveal that the proinflammatory cytokine IL-18 is constitutively and ubiquitously expressed. However, limited IL-18R α-chain (IL-18Rα) expression in tissues may restrict ligand-acting sites and contribute to a specific response for IL-18. To study the IL-18R complex, [¹²⁵I]IL-18 was studied for binding to the cell surface receptors of IL-18-responsive NK and macrophagic KG-1 cells. After cross-linking, [¹²⁵I]IL-18 formed three IL-18R complexes with sizes of approximately 93, 160, and 220 kDa. In KG-1 cells, Scatchard analysis revealed the presence of 135 binding sites/cell, with an apparent dissociation constant (K_d) of 250 pM; in NK cells, there were 350 binding sites per cell with an apparent K_d of 146 pM. Each domain of extracellular IL-18Rα was cloned and individually expressed in Escherichia coli. An mAb specifically recognized the membrane-proximal third domain; this mAb blocked IL-18-induced IFN-γ production in NK cells. Furthermore, deletion of the membrane-proximal third domain of IL-18Rα prevented the formation of IL-18R ternary complex with IL-18R β-chain. The present studies demonstrate that the biologically active IL-18R complex requires the membrane-proximal third Ig-like domain in IL-18Rα for the formation of IL-18R ternary complex as well as for signal transduction involved in IL-18-induced IFN-γ in NK cells.

The IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) is a circulating inhibitor of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-18. It is constitutively expressed in mononuclear cells, and elevated expression is induced by IFN-γ. In this study, we characterized the IL-18BP promoter. We first showed that induction is at the transcriptional level and requires de novo protein synthesis. The IL-18BP promoter resides within 1.6 kb DNA upstream of the first exon and includes at least six regulatory elements. We identified in the basal promoter a gamma-activated sequence (GAS) proximal to the transcription start site (base 1), followed by an IFN regulatory factor 1 response element (IRF-E) and two CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ) sites, all of which are essential for basal promoter activity. Furthermore, GAS and IRF-E were essential for IFN-γ-induced transcription. Indeed, sera of IRF-1-deficient mice lacked basal and IFN-γ-induced IL-18BP. We found that after induction of IRF-1 by IFN-γ, it formed a complex with C/EBPβ, which bound to the IRF-E and GAS-containing proximal DNA. In contrast, the IFN-γ-induced signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 dimer did not associate with this GAS. In addition, we identified a silencer element and a distal enhancer at bases - 1081 to -1272, which was also physically associated with IRF-1. The IRF-1-C/EBPβ complex described here probably plays a fundamental role in regulating additional IFN-γ-responsive genes.

IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) is a circulating antagonist of the proinflammatory Th1 cytokine IL-18. It effectively blocks IL-18 by forming a 1:1 high affinity (K_d=400 pM) complex, exhibiting a very low dissociation rate. We have developed a sandwich ELISA for IL-18BPa and determined its limit of detection (62 pg/ml). Interference by IL-18 and related cytokines, as well as cross reactivity with other IL-18BP isoforms (b, c, and d) were determined. Using this ELISA, we measured serum IL-18BPa in large cohorts of healthy individuals and in septic patients. Serum IL-18BPa in healthy individuals was 2.15 ± 0.15 ng/ml (range 0.5-7 ng/ml). In sepsis, the level rose to 21.9 ± 1.44 ng/ml (range 4-132 ng/ml). Total IL-18 was measured in the same sera by an electrochemiluminescence assay and free IL-18 was calculated based on the mass action law. Total IL-18 was low in healthy individuals (64 ± 17 pg/ml) and most of it (∼85%) was in its free form. Total IL-18 and IL-18BPa were both elevated in sepsis patients upon admission (1.5 ± 0.4 ng/ml and 28.6 ± 4.5 ng/ml, respectively). At these levels, most of the IL-18 is bound to IL-18BPa, however the remaining free IL-18 is still higher than in healthy individuals. We conclude that IL-18BPa considerably inhibits circulating IL-18 in sepsis. Yet, exogenous administration of IL-18BPa may further reduce circulating IL-18 activity.

This is the first report of the serum profile of a glycosylated recombinant form of human IL-6 (rhIL-6) administered subcutaneously (1-10 μg/kg/day) in a phase I/II trial as a thrombopoietic agent in patients with advanced cancer. The pharmacodynamic effects of IL-6 were also examined. Detailed pharmacokinetic measurements were made in four patients. Peak concentrations at 5-8 h and a median t_0.5 of ca. 5 h were similar to those previously reported for non-glycosylated IL-6. However, higher peak concentrations and apparent differences in effective dose levels to those previously reported with the non-glycosylated form were seen. Indications of an apparent attenuation in circulating IL-6 concentrations with continuing injections were seen in eight of 10 patients examined but anti-IL-6 antibody generation was seen in only two patients. Soluble interleukin 6 receptor concentrations generally decreased. No major changes in T cell subsets were seen but expression of CD25 and CD54 by T lymphocytes significantly increased, accompanied by marked increases in soluble CD25 (sIL-2R) and CD54 (sICAM-1). No consistent change in B cells, monocytes or NK cells were seen. No evidence for induction of TNF-α was found. This study demonstrates similar biological effects of glycosylated rhIL-6 to those reported for the non-glycosylated form but illustrates several apparent differences which are discussed further. (C) 2000 Academic Press.

The soluble interleukin 6 receptor (sIL-6R) circulates at elevated levels in various diseases. This suggests that inflammatory mediators control sIL-6R release. Through examination of human neutrophils, it was found that the acute phase reactant C-reactive protein (CRP) activates a threefold increase in sIL-6R production. Maximal release occurred after 30-60 min exposure to CRP (50 μg/ml), and was mimicked by peptides corresponding to amino acid residues 174185 and 201-206 of native CRP. A third peptide fragment (77-82) had no effect. Differential mRNA splicing did not account for the CRP-mediated release of sIL-6R, since this isoform was not detected in conditioned media. Furthermore, stimulation of neutrophils with CRP or with peptides 174-185 or 201-206 promoted a loss of membrane-bound IL-6R, suggesting release by proteolytic shedding. The metalloprotease inhibitor TAPI had only a marginal effect on CRP-mediated sIL-6R release, suggesting that shedding occurs via a mechanism distinct from that previously reported. It well established that IL-6 stimulates the acute phase expression of CRP. Our current findings demonstrate a novel relationship between these two mediators, since CRP may affect IL-6-mediated inflammatory events by enabling formation of the sIL-6R/IL-6 complex.

The soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) is generated through either proteolytic shedding of the cognate receptor (PC-sIL-6R), or released as the product of differential mRNA splicing (DS-sIL-6R). Using monocytic THP-1 cells, we demonstrate that both mechanisms are independently regulated, and that each process contributes to sIL-6R production. Shedding of the IL-6R was activated by the Ca2+ ionophore, ionomycin, and inhibited by the TNF-alpha protease inhibitor (TAPI). In contrast, basal sIL-6R release was unaffected by Ca2+ depletion and largely insensitive to TAPI. Moreover although IL-6R shedding was inactivated by serum starvation, non-stimulated production remained intact. Basal sIL-6R production via differential mRNA splicing was shown through the inhibitory action of brefeldin A and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay specific for DS-sIL-6R. Release of this isoform was unaffected by ionomycin or TAPI, indicating that Ca2+ mobilization activates PC-sIL-6R generation, but not DS-sIL-6R. The divergent control of these sIL-6R isoforms indicates that they may independently influence the inflammatory response.

Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) is known to be involved in graft rejection of solid organs and acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Its role, and especially that of soluble lFN-γ receptor (sIFN-γR), in bone marrow transplantation (BMT) has not been established. We evaluated the sera of 27 patients following BMT. Fourteen of them underwent uneventful BMT, whereas 13 developed transplant-related complications, including acute GVHD (n = 5), early rejection (n = 4), or relapse of basic disease (n = 4). Soluble IFN-γR and IFN levels were evaluated at day -10 (preconditioning), day 0 (day of BMT), day of engraftment, and during BMT-related complications using sIFN-γR-specific monoclonal antibodies (McAB) followed by double-sandwich ELISA, and a sensitive radioimmunoassay respectively. In normal controls (n = 80) sIFN-γR and IFN-γ levels in the sera were 0.5 ± 0.05 and 0.3 ± 0.04 ng/ml respectively. Soluble IFN-γR levels increased in direct correlation with engraftment (0.63 ± 0.11 ng/ml at the day of BMT to 1.43 ± 0.16 ng/ml at the day of engraftment; n = 14; P

Leptin mediates its effects on food intake through the hypothalamic form of its receptor OB-R. Variants of OB-R are found in other tissues, but their function is unknown. Here, an OB-R variant was found in human hepatic cells. Exposure of these cells to leptin, at concentrations comparable with those present in obese individuals, caused attenuation of several insulin-induced activities, including tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), association of the adapter molecule growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 with IRS-1, and down-regulation of gluconeogenesis. In contrast, leptin increased the activity of IRS-1-associated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. These in vitro studies raise the possibility that leptin modulates insulin activities in obese individuals.

Two transmembrane polypeptides, IFNAR and IFN-α/BR, were previously identified as essential components of the type I interferon (IFN) receptor, but their interrelationship and role in ligand binding were not clear. To study these issues, we stably expressed and characterized the two polypeptides in host murine cells. In human cells, native IFN-α/βR is a 102-kDa protein but upon reduction only a 51-kDa protein is detected. In host murine cells human IFN-α/βR was expressed as a 51-kDa protein. Host cells expressing IFN-α/βR bound IFN-α₂ with a high affinity (K(d) of 3.6 nM), whereas cells expressing IFNAR exhibited no ligand binding. Upon coexpression of IFNAR and the 51-kDa IFN-α/βR, the affinity for IFN-α₂ was increased 10-fold, approaching that of the native receptor. We show by cross-linking that both the cloned (51-kDa) and native (102-kDa) IFN-α/βR bind IFN-α₂ to form an intermediate product, while IFNAR associates with this product to form a ternary complex. Hence, IFNAR and IFN-α/DR are components of a common type I IFN receptor, cooperating in ligand binding. Ligand-induced association of IFNAR and IFN-α/βR probably triggers transmembrane signaling.

Interferons (IFNs) act by inducing several intracellular antiviral proteins. We report here that IFNs also induce an extracellular soluble protein that inhibits vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection. This protein accounts for 25%-50% of the total antiviral activity elicited by IFN. The antiviral protein was purified to homogeneity from culture supernatants of IFN-treated cells by several chromatographic steps, to give a single 28-kDa active polypeptide. Upon sequencing, this novel protein corresponded to the N-terminal ligand-binding domain of the human 160-kDa low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). In addition, we find that IFN induces the cell surface LDLR and this phenomenon may explain previous reports on reduction of serum cholesterol in IFN-treated patients. Viruses produce soluble cytokine receptors that inhibit their respective cytokines, thereby assisting virus infection. It appears now that host cells employ similar molecules for the opposite role of controlling virus infections.

Interferons, which induce several intracellular antiviral proteins, also induce an extracellular soluble protein that inhibits vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection. This 28-kilodalton soluble protein was purified to homogeneity and identified by protein sequencing as the ligand-binding domain of the human 160-kilodalton low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). The existence of an antiviral soluble LDLR was confirmed by immunoaffinity chromatography with monoclonal antibody to LDLR. This soluble receptor mediates most of the interferon-triggered antiviral activity against VSV, apparently by interfering with virus assembly or budding, and not by inhibiting virus attachment to cells.

Tobacco plants were transformed with the human gene for interferon-β (IFN-β). Transformation was determined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and expression was determined by Western blot analysis, by purifying the IFN from the transgenic plants, and by bioassays indicating its activity in human cells. Plants expressing IFN-β were self-pollinated. IFN-β-expressing progeny plants were selected and produced active IFN-β, indicating stable transformation.

Affinity chromatography of crude human urinary proteins on either human recombinant interleukin-6 (rIL-6) or human recombinant interferon-γ (rIFN-γ) or anti IFN-γ receptor (IFN-γ-R) monoclonal antibodies (McAb) yielded the two respective soluble receptors in significant amounts. A single sequence of 30 amino acid residues was obtained by N-terminal microsequencing of the protein peak purified in tandem by affinity chromatography on an IL-6 column and reveresed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. This sequence was identical with the predicted N-terminal sequence of IL-6-R as previously reported. The purified IL-6-R retained its biological activity. It was used for the preparation of specific anti IL-6-R monoclonal antibodies. Analysis of the eluted proteins from both IFN-γ and anti IFN-γ-R columns by inhibition of solid-phase radioimmunoassay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting proved the existence of soluble IFN-γ-R in normal urine. This finding together with the already known presence of soluble TNF receptors and a soluble IL-2 receptors found both in plasma and in urine indicates that release of soluble cytokine receptors into body fluids is a general phenomenon which occurs under normal physiological conditions.

Monoclonal antibodies against the human interferon-γ (IFN-γ) receptor were developed by injecting mice with a preparation of receptor that was purified from solubilized placental membranes by ligand affinity chromatography. Three antibodies were identified by their ability to block the binding of ¹²⁵I-labeled IFN-γ to its receptor on HeLa cells at 4°C. One of these antibodies blocked several biological activities of IFN-γ, including its antiviral activity, its ability to induce HLA-DR surface antigens, and its ability to protect cells from NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. This antibody exhibited higher binding capacity to cells at 37°C and was significantly less displaceable by an excess of IFN-γ as compared with the other two antibodies. Immunoaffinity chromatography of solubilized crude placental membrane preparation yielded a purified receptor that exhibited a molecular weight of 88,000. The purified receptor retained its ability to bind ¹²⁵I-labeled IFN-γ in solution.

The receptor for human interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) was purified from foreskin fibroblasts. Triton X-100 extracts obtained from either intact cells or membrane preparations were passed through an immobilized interferon-gamma column. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of eluted fractions revealed a major band of Mr = 95,000 and minor bands of Mr = 80,000 and 60,000. Further purification was obtained by steric exclusion and by lectin chromatography. The purified receptor retained the ability to bind 125I-IFN-gamma with a Kd of 2.2 X 10(-10) M, a value close to that obtained with intact fibroblasts (5 X 10(-10) M). A complex of Mr = 105,000-125,000 was visualized by immunoprecipitation of 125I-IFN-gamma cross-linked to the purified receptor followed by SDS-PAGE and autoradiography. A similar complex was obtained when 125I-IFN-gamma was cross-linked to intact cells. Immunization of mice with the excised SDS-PAGE band of Mr = 95,000 elicited antibodies that blocked the antiviral activity of IFN-gamma and immunoprecipitated the cross-linked complex of 125I-IFN-gamma and its receptor.

A human genomic DNA segment of 5.6 kb containing the entire gene for immune interferon-γ was fused through its 5-untranslated region to the corresponding region of the simian virus 40 (SV40) T-antigen gene. The SV40 early promoter used contained a modified transcriptional enhancer element with a 93-bp repeat. Supercoiled plasmid DNA was used to transfect Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, the selectable marker being a SV40-dihydrofolate gene construct. Constitutive expression of the IFN-γ gene in primary transformants was high, especially if a Harvey murine sarcoma virus long terminal repeat (LTR) was present in addition to the SV40 promoter. After gene amplification by methotrexate selection, CHO-γ cell lines were obtained that produce 1.52 million units of IFN-γ per million cells and per day (200,000 molecules per cell per minute). Metabolic labeling showed that over 90% of the protein secreted by such cells is human IFN-γ. A one-step immuno-affinity chromatography on monoclonal antibodies yielded pure IFN-γ with 12 × 10⁸ units/mg protein. Like IFN-γ from human white blood cells, the IFN-γ from CHO-γ cells is a mixture of two glycoproteins of 26,000 and 20,000 daltons with traces of the unglycosylated 17,000-dalton polypeptide. Large-scale cultures in 1% serum routinely yield over 600,000 units of human IFN-γ/ml culture per day.

The coding sequence of the human interferon (IFN)-β₁ gene, fused 60 bp downstream from the RNA start site of the SV40 early gene, was transfected into dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR)-deficient Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells together with a selectable DHFR gene. Most transformants continuously secreted IFN-β₁ into the medium. Induction did not stimulate expression of the fused SV40-IFN-β₁ gene. The role of the SV40 promoter was verified by transforming cells with the unmodified human IFN-β₁ gene, or by the IFN-β₁ coding region fused to another poly(rI):(rC)-inducible gene. In these cases, the transformants showed strictly inducible (not constitutive) IFN secretion. By selection for methotrexate resistance, CHO clones with a 1020-fold amplification of the SV40-IFN-β₁ DNA were obtained. Such clones constitutively produce up to 350,000 units IFN/ml per 10⁶ cells/24 hr, i.e., over 10 times more than fully induced human fibroblasts. In continuous culture with daily changes of medium, accumulation of IFN-β₁ is constant at a rate of 300,000 molecules per cell/hr. Batches of up to 16 mg of IFN-β₁ produced by the transformed CHO cells were purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography on monoclonal antibodies. This IFN appears identical in size, activity, and immunospecificity to the native human IFN-β₁ glycoprotein.

Human interferongamma (IFNgamma) purified to electrophoretic homogeneity by a cation exchange h.p.l.c., was used for the development of monoclonal antibodies. Following immunization, spleen lymphocytes of two mice showing the highest binding and neutralizing titers were isolated, fused with NSO mouse myeloma cells and cloned. The screening of hybridomas was based on precipitation of the immune complexes with a second antibody and recovery of the biological activity of IFNgamma from the precipitate. Twenty nine independent hybridomas secreting antibodies specific to IFNgamma were obtained. Twelve out of these 29 hybridomas produced antibodies that neutralized the antiviral activity of pure as well as crude IFNgamma. Moreover, IFNgamma obtained by various induction procedures was neutralized as well, indicating that these various IFNgamma subtypes are immunologically crossreactive. Immune precipitation of partially purified 125Ilabelled IFNgamma by several monoclonal antibodies revealed two protein bands of 26,000 and 21,000 daltons. Immunoaffinity chromatography of IFNgamma gave a 50fold purification to a specific activity > or = 4 x 10(7) units/mg. Two of the monoclonal antibodies were found suitable for a sensitive and rapid double antibody solidphase radioimmunoassay, allowing the detection of IFNgamma at concentrations of at least 4 ng/ml (150 units/ml) within 8 h.