Building Robust and Simple Cell-Based Assays for Interleukins and Their Receptors

摘要

Ligand-induced receptor dimerization is an early functional step in receptor activation, representing the most proximal, functional read-out for Interleukin receptors. It is well understood that specific signaling receptor subunits can heterodimerize with multiple high affinity receptors from the same family leading to complicated signaling cascades that are implicated in auto-immune, inflammatory and oncogenic diseases. Here we present a novel application of our PathHunter? technology to monitor receptor-receptor interactions at the surface of intact live cells, applicable to diverse receptor types, with a specific focus on the interleukin family of receptors. The high specificity, simplicity of the assay protocol, serum tolerance and reproducibility of these assays has enabled their use in cell-based screening, functional characterization and QC lot release assays. Examples from our menu of assays spanning ~80% of all human interleukins will be presented, including assays for Anakinra and Tocilizumab. These robust assays have excellent reproducibility, accuracy and precision, demonstrating their suitability for use as QC Lot Release assays.