Natural human antibodies to gamma interferon interfere with the immunomodulating activity of the lymphokine.
Natural antibodies to gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) were found in patients suffering from different viral diseases and, at a lower titer, in healthy individuals. Such antibodies were affinity-purified and studied for their capability to interfere in vitro with the antiviral and immunomodulating activity of IFN-gamma. Data obtained show that these human anti-IFN-gamma antibodies have no inhibitory effect on the antiviral activity of IFN-gamma. On the contrary, they are able to inhibit the expression of Fc receptor sites and HLA-DR antigens induced by IFN-gamma on the U-937 cells, a human monocytoid/macrophage-derived cell line. These antibodies can also interfere in a mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) with the proliferation of lymphocytes and the generation of cytotoxic lymphocytes. However, they showed only a moderate inhibitory effect on the cytotoxicity generated in MLC to K-562 cells. Human antibodies capable of interfering with the immunomodulating activities of IFN-gamma might open up a new field in clinical therapy for those diseases that carry evidence of activated cell-mediated immunity.
Turano
A
A
Institute of Microbiology, University of Brescia, Italy.
Balsari
A
A
Viani
E
E
Landolfo
S
S
Zanoni
L
L
Gargiulo
F
F
Caruso
A
A
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000276:immunology*; D002460:Cell Line; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D004261:DNA Replication; D004686:Encephalomyocarditis virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007700:Kinetics; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000187:drug effects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D010948:Viral Plaque Assay
D000906:Antibodies; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma