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In this report, we describe the development of a mini-array system suitable for high-throughput quantification of proteins. This mini-array is a multiplexed, sandwich-type ELISA that measures the concentration of seven different human cytokines--TNF-alpha, IFN alpha, IFN gamma, IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, and IL-10--from a single sample in each well of a 96-well plate. The mini-array is produced by spotting monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in a 3 x 3 pattern in the bottom of the wells of 96-well polystyrene plates. Cytokines that are captured by the arrayed mAbs are detected by using biotinylated mAbs, followed by the addition of a streptavidin-horseradish peroxidase (HRP) conjugate and a chemiluminescent substrate. The light produced from the HRP-catalyzed oxidation of the substrate is measured at each spot in the array by imaging the entire plate with a commercially available CCD camera. Here, we demonstrate that these 96-well-plate format mini-arrays have performance characteristics that make them suitable for the high-throughput screening of anti-inflammatory compounds.

Endotoxin is a component of gram-negative bacteria that causes hematologic and immunologic changes through its induction of cytokines. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) is a naturally occurring inhibitor of IL-1 that competes with IL-1 for occupancy of cell-surface receptors but possesses no agonist activity. We investigated the ability of human recombinant IL-1Ra to block the effects of low-dose endotoxin. Fourteen healthy male volunteers between 18 and 30 years old were injected intravenously with 3 ng/kg Escherichia coli endotoxin. Concurrent with the injections, nine volunteers received a 3-hour continuous intravenous infusion of IL-1Ra. The other five subjects were given a 3-hour infusion of saline. Volunteers injected with endotoxin experienced a threefold increase in circulating neutrophils over baseline. This neutrophilia was significantly reduced by 48% in subjects administered endotoxin plus IL-1Ra (P = .0253). Ex vivo mitogen-induced peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation decreased by greater than 60% at 3 and 6 hours after endotoxin injection (P = .0053). This endotoxin-induced reduction in mitogen response was reversed in subjects coinjected with IL-1Ra (P = .0253). Endotoxin-induced symptoms, fever, and tachycardia were unaffected by IL-1Ra. IL-1 appears to be an important mediator in endotoxemia because some of its hematologic and immunomodulatory effects can be blocked by IL-1Ra.

Receptor binding studies were performed on the interleukin-1 (IL-1) sensitive T-helper cell line D10S, a stable line which proliferates to subfemtomolar concentrations of IL-1 in the absence of mitogens. IL-1 binds in a specific and saturable manner and Scatchard analysis at 4 degrees C reveals one class of binding affinity. On D10S cells, the Kd for IL-1 is 227 pM +/- 80, with 11,000 (range 3,300 to 23,800) sites per cell. EL4.6.1 cells, which are less sensitive to IL-1, bind with a single class of high affinity sites (55 pM; 4,000 sites). D10S cells incubated 18 h with IL-1 display reduced IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) numbers and affinities, consistent with reduced (75%, p less than 0.005) proliferation to subsequent IL-1; preincubation with IL-4 increases the number of IL-1R which is associated with increased (200%, p less than 0.001) proliferation to IL-1. The molecular mass of the major (80 kD) IL-1R binding [125I]IL-1 alpha on D10S cells was consistently observed at 73 kD as compared to the 80 kD molecule on the EL4 cells. On the other hand, crosslinking studies with [125I]IL-1 beta on D10S cells revealed a novel 46 kD band on gradient SDS-PAGE corresponding to a binding protein of 29 to 30 kD, which is antigenically distinct from the 80 kD IL-1R. Crosslinking of D10S or EL4 cells at 4 degrees C in the presence of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and labeled IL-1 enhanced the appearance of the 30 kD IL-1 binding protein. The findings are consistent with a two-chain model for the IL-1R, although Scatchard analysis did not consistently indicate two classes of affinities. IL-1 binding to the 80 kD protein may form a heteroduplex with the 30 kD IL-1R which could account for the presence of the 120 to 130 kD IL-1 crosslinked proteins observed by several investigators.

Most studies have shown that interleukin-1 (IL-1) acts as a helper or co-stimulator in T-lymphocyte activation and proliferation by mitogens or antigens. We describe here a stable subclone (D10S) of the murine D10.G4.1 helper T-cell which proliferates to subfemtomolar (attomolar) concentrations of IL-1 beta or alpha in the absence of mitogens. D10S cells have been maintained in culture for over two years without splenic cell feeder layers nor antigen stimulation. Detection of proliferation can be made by either uptake of tritiated thymidine at 72 h or in 48 h by a colorimetric assay which measures mitochondrial dehydrogenases; the latter assay is rapid and inexpensive. D10S cells are distinct from the parent clone D10.G4., which requires mitogens for IL-1 activity. IL-1-induced proliferation is independent of the elaboration of IL-2, IL-4, or IL-6, although these cells proliferate to these lymphokines at considerably higher concentrations when compared to IL-1. The D10S cells proliferate in direct correlation to the duration of IL-1 presence in the culture. We found no evidence that IL-1 induced more IL-1 in these cells. The subclone is highly specific for IL-1: proliferation was not observed to endotoxin, human or murine interferon-gamma (IFN gamma), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), lymphotoxin, or granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). There was no suppressive effect of transforming growth factor (TGF beta). Only at high concentrations (100 ng/ml) did IL-6 induce proliferation. We conclude that this stable, feeder layer-free cell line is highly sensitive to IL-1 which acts as a direct stimulant for these cells; they are also useful for bioassays as well as the study of IL-1 receptors as described in the accompanying paper.