Interferon-gamma / IFN-gamma (mouse) ELISA

IFN-gamma, also called Type II interferon, is a homodimeric gycoprotein containing approximately 21 to 24 kD subunits. In contrast to IFN-gamma and IFN-gamma synthesis, which can occur in any cell, production of IFN-gamma is a function of T cells and NK cells. Type II IFN or IFN-gamma is a lymphokine that displays no molecular homology with type I IFN, but shares some important biologic activities. Specifically, IFN induces an anti-viral state and is anti-proliferative. In addition, IFN-gamma has several properties related to immunoregulation.

1. IFN- is a potent activator of mononuclear phagocytes, e.g. IFN-gamma stimulates the expression of Mac-1, augments endocytosis and phagocytosis by monocytes; and activates macrophages to kill tumor cells by releasing reactive oxagen intermediates and TNF-alpha.
2. IFN-gamma induces or augments the expression of MHC antigens on macrophages, T and B cells and some tumor cell lines.
3. On T and B cells IFN- promotes differentiation. It enhaces proliferation of activated B cells and can act synergistically with IL-2 to increase immunoglobulin light-chain synthesis. IFN-gamma is one of the natural B-cell differentiation factors.
4. Finally, IFN-gamma activates neutrophils, NK cells and vascular endothelial cells. The role of IFN-gamma as a disease marker has been demonstrated for a number of different pathological situations.
Synonyms: Immune interferon, IFG