AN ELISA ASSAY FOR MURINE INTERLEUKIN-1-BETA

An ELISA assay was developed for murine IL-1beta (mIL-1beta) using a p olyclonal antibody generated in rabbits. The antibody was purified by affinity chromatography on protein A coupled to Sepharose followed by chromatography on mIL-1beta coupled to Sepharose. The protein A and af finity purified populations were compared using radiolabeled mIL-1beta and the results used to develop the conditions for the ELISA. The ass ay developed is sensitive to pg/ml concentrations of mIL-1beta, is com parable in sensitivity to one which uses a hamster monoclonal antibody as the capture antibody, and can be used to detect IL-1beta in perito neal washings or tissue lysates from either mouse or rat. There is no cross reaction with any cytokine tested. The use of ELISA enhancement kits can increase the resolution at the lower concentration ranges wit hout affecting assay sensitivity. This assay should prove useful for d efining the presence and potential role for IL-1beta in animal models of disease.