Monocyte activation test

The monocyte-activation test (MAT) is used to detect or quantify substances that activate human monocytes or monocytic cells to release endogenous mediators such as pro-inflammatory cytokines, for example tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). These cytokines have a role in fever pathogenesis. Consequently, the MAT will detect the presence of pyrogens (endotoxins on non-endotoxin pyrogens) in the test sample. The MAT is suitable, after a product-specific validation, as a replacement for the rabbit pyrogen test (see European pharmacopoeia chapter 2.6.30). Although 3 methods (quantitative test, semi-quantitative test or reference lot comparison test) are described in the Ph. Eur.