An ELISA-based assay for quantitation of human interleukin 2.

An ELISA-based method for the quantitation of human interleukin 2 is described. A murine monoclonal antibody and rabbit polyclonal antibody, both of which recognize the various glycosylated forms of human IL2, were used in a sandwich technique together with alkaline phosphatase-conjugated goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin. The specificity of the reaction was dependent upon the monoclonal reagent. By generating a standard curve with a defined preparation of IL2, it was possible to quantitate accurately the concentration of the factor in crude lymphokine preparations and in serum samples from IL2-treated patients. Substances in human serum and mitogens such as phytohemagglutinin and phorbol myristic acetate did not interfere in the measurement. This assay provides a rapid, automated alternative to the biological assay generally used to quantitate IL2.