Immunoenzymatic assessment of IL-1 beta mRNA by in situ hybridization using sulphonated probes.

An immunoenzymatic detection method of in-situ hybridization reactions for interleukin 1 (IL-1) beta was established, using sulphonated probes. As model system we used unstimulated and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC). After hybridization, sulphone groups were targeted with a monoclonal antibody, and bound antibody was visualized by the alkaline phosphatase anti-alkaline phosphatase (APAAP) method. In unstimulated PBMNC both the control and the IL-1 beta specific c-DNA probes were negative, whilst a large proportion of LPS treated PBMNC was positive with the sulphonated IL-1 beta plasmid only. This method may be a powerful alternative to radio-isotopic labeling. Since the entire procedure can be performed within one day, it may be applied for routine diagnostic purposes.