title: Immunoregulation during acute infection with Epstein-Barr virus: dynamics of interferon and 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase activity.
abstract: Immunoregulation during acute infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is incompletely understood, although species of interferon (IFN) may be important immunoregulatory molecules. IFN, 2',5'-oligoadenylate (2',5'-A) synthetase (an IFN-induced enzyme), T and natural killer cell subsets, and natural and anomalous killer cell functions were studied systemically during acute infectious mononucleosis. Serum IFN was not detected (less than 1 international unit/ml) during infection. 2',5'-A synthetase activity was significantly increased in the acute phase of infection when compared with convalescence (34.5 +/- 6.5 vs. 3.6 +/- 1.2 nmol ATP/mg of protein per hr; P less than .01 by Student's t test). A generalized IFN effect was suggested by elevated 2',5'-A synthetase activity in purified neutrophil preparations. Sequential studies revealed a correlation between peak elevations of 2',5'-A synthetase activity and increased percentages of cytotoxic/suppressor cells as well as anomalous killer cell activity against an EBV-infected B cell line. Thus IFN may act as an immunoregulatory lymphokine early in the course of acute EBV infection.
authors.forename: F E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Brewster
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Byron
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Sullivan
mesh_terms: D015088:2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase / Q000032:analysis*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human; D006801:Humans; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology*; D007372:Interferons / Q000032:analysis*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000201:enzymology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000954:Antigens, Surface; D007372:Interferons; D015088:2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase