ARE THE ACID-LABILE INTERFERON ALPHA AND INTERFERON OMEGA-1 IDENTICAL

The interferon (IFN) activity found in human leukocyte IFNα preparations, autoimmune and AIDS sera, and others was reported to have distinct antigenic and deviating biological properties. This led to its vague designation as acid-labile and thermolabile IFNα. However, using specific monoclonal antibodies, the acid-labile component of IFNα (not exposed to pH 2) and recombinant IFNω 1 showed significant relatedness. Monoclonal antibody T19, generated with virus-induced leukocyte IFNα that had not been exposed to pH 2, neutralized both the antiviral and antiproliferative activities of IFNω-1, and vice versa; monoclonal antibody OMG 5, specific for recombinant IFNω-1, cross-neutralized the antiviral and anti proliferative effects of the acid-labile component of leukocyte IFNα. When these two IFN preparations were incubated at pH 2 for 72 hr, their biological activity significantly decreased. © 1991.