Immunomodulation by recombinant rat interferon-gamma in vivo.
Most studies on the immunomodulating effects of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) have been performed in vitro, using recombinant mouse and human IFN-gamma preparations. Recently, recombinant rat IFN-gamma (rRIFN-gamma) became available, enabling extensive studies with this new preparation in vivo. In the present study a LEW rat model was used to determine the efficacy of rRIFN-gamma on immune functions in vivo. LEW rats were treated with rRIFN-gamma by continuous intravenous infusion at a dosage of 1.5 x 10(5) U/kg.h for 2 consecutive days. Twelve hours after cessation of rRIFN-gamma administration immune functions, including NK-cell activity, phagocytosis, and mitogen-induced blastogenesis, were assessed. All experimental animals displayed a marked reduction in the number of peripheral blood and bone marrow cells when compared with controls (p less than 0.005). Assessment of immune functions revealed a significant enhancement of NK-cell activity (p less than 0.001), phagocytosis (p less than 0.05), and mitogen-induced blastogenesis (p less than 0.05). These findings indicate that rRIFN-gamma, when given in high dosages, has a stimulatory effect on various immune functions, which substantiates its important immunological role in vivo.
IJzermans
J N
JN
Department of Surgery, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Bouwman
E
E
Bijma
A
A
Jeekel
J
J
van der Meide
P H
PH
Marquet
R L
RL
D000818:Animals; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000187:drug effects; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D003208:Concanavalin A; D007371:Interferon-gamma