title: In vitro effect of interferon alpha-2b on T lymphocyte transformation and leukocyte migration inhibition in patients with chronic brucellosis.
abstract: The in vitro effect of IFN-a on lymphocyte transformation and specific immune response against Brucella antigens was studied in 33 patients with chronic brucellosis and 10 normal controls. The following immunologic in vitro tests were applied: PHA activated lymphocyte transformation test using Bromodeoxyuridine and a monoclonal antibody in the presence and absence of 50 and 100 IU IFN Alpha-2b and leukocyte migration inhibition test against Brucella antigens in the presence and absence of 100 and 500 IU of IFN Alpha-2b. Patients were further divided to 2 subgroups according to a positive or negative migration inhibition test. Our results showed that T lymphocyte transformation was similar in patients and controls and that the addition of 50 IU IFN resulted in a significant increase of transforming cells whereas in the concentration of 100 IU IFN only anergic patients and controls responded positively. IFN also resulted in a significant leukocyte migration inhibition only in anergic patients and controls. These findings suggest that the chronic infection is not due to a generalized cellular immunodeficiency state and that IFN Alpha-2b might be a promising therapeutic approach in anergic patients.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Medical Dpt., Aristotelian University, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lagra
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raptopoulou-Gigi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Orphanou-Koumerkeridou
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Goulis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D002002:Brucella / Q000276:immunology; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000276:immunology*; D002464:Cell Migration Inhibition; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D007370:Interferon Type I; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins