Detection of human interferon-α-encoding gene expression

Abstract We have devised a sensitive method based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect expression of human interferon-α-encoding genes ( IFN-A ) in general, and specifically, expression of the IFN-A2 or IFN-A4 genes. The utility of the PCR approach was assessed by analysis of cloned IFN - A genes, as well as genomic DNA and mRNA isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We demonstrate the specific amplification of sequences encoding IFN subtypes IFN-α-2 and IFN-α-4 from as little as 0.1 pg of IFN - A mRNA. The PCR technique has potential clinical application for the detection of IFN-A expression and, thus, identification of the IFN-α subtypes produced, particularly in small biopsy samples or otherwise, where only low numbers of cells are available.