Abstract
IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) is a soluble inhibitory receptor for IL-18, a proinflammatory cytokine that plays a major role in IL-12-driven Th1 cell differentiation. IL-18BP is presumed to play a vital regulatory function in IL-18-mediated immune responses, although its precise role in immunomodulation in various diseases is not well understood. In the present study, we have generated and characterized a mouse monoclonal antibody (2A6H11), specific for rat IL-18BP. Its binding epitope is within amino acids 29-60 on IL-18BP and it does not interfere with the function of IL-18BP. Using this monoclonal antibody, we have developed an ELISA for determining IL-18BP levels. We observed elevated levels of IL-18BP in sera of rats with experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG), in comparison with the levels in healthy rats. Thus, this monoclonal antibody can serve as a valuable tool to elucidate the role of IL-18BP in EAMG and in other rat models for autoimmune diseases.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 65-70 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Immunology Letters |
| Volume | 85 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2 Jan 2003 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:We thank Dr Daniela Novick for providing human IL-18BP. This research was supported by grants from The Association Francaise Contre les Myopathies, The Muscular Dystrophy Association of America and the Abramson Family Foundation.
Keywords
- Experimental myasthenia gravis
- Monoclonal antibody
- Rat IL-18 binding protein