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Bioassay for tumor necrosis factors-α and -β

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Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a central cytokine in the pathogenesis of septic shock and other inflammatory states. Assay by immunoassay is convenient, but, because of circulating soluble receptors, does not accurately reflect biological activity of the cytokine. This article describes how to perform a bioassay for TNF, using its cytopathic effect on the murine cell line L929. By suitable manipluation, the assay can determine the two different forms of TNF, alpha and beta.

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Evans, T.J. Bioassay for tumor necrosis factors-α and -β. Mol Biotechnol 15, 243–248 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1385/MB:15:3:243

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