Analysis and Purification of Human Lymphoblastoid (Namalwa) Interferon Using a Monoclonal Antibody

SUMMARY

Highly purified interferon-α (IFN-α) prepared from a human lymphoblastoid line (Namalwa) was analysed by gel filtration and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Gel filtration separated the IFN-a into two peaks (A and B). All the compo- nents of peak A were retained by a monoclonal antibody (NK2) column, but some of those from peak B were not retained. The IFN that was not bound was active on mouse cells and could be resolved into two major bands by PAGE. The bound fraction (about 75% of the interferon protein) was purified by means of the monoclonal antibody column, although complete purification of crude interferon was not achieved in one passage.