Human interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) containing cells bear various surface phenotypic markers.
We explored the population of Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) containing cells in order to clarify their cell surface phenotypic markers. Here we define gamma-IFN containing cells as gamma-IFN plaque forming cells (PFC). By this method, it was found that IFN-gamma containing cells consist of two cell fractions, i.e., OKT3+, OKT4+, and OKT8- cells and OKM1+ cells. Effective IFN-gamma production seems to require participation of plastic-adherent cells (presumably monocytes), while the addition of cyclosporin A (CyA) almost completely blocked generation of human IFN-gamma. To characterize Con A-stimulated IFN-gamma containing cells, we performed two-color flow cytometry using FACS IV. Most of the IFN-gamma containing cells have surface phenotypic markers for Leu3, Leu8, Leu15, HLA-DR, and IL-2 receptors, but most lack markers for Leu2 and Leu7. Interestingly, most of Leu3+ and IL-2 receptor+ cells belong to the dimly illuminating cell fractions of the IFN-gamma containing cell population. Our results indicate that IFN-gamma containing cells are heterogeneous with respect to surface phenotypic markers but the predominant IFN-gamma containing cell type is the helper T cell (OKT4+). Lastly, OK432, glycyrrhizin, and CCA (lobenzarit disodium) increase the number of IFN-gamma containing cells and are thought to be immunomodulators.
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D003524:Cyclosporins / Q000494:pharmacology; D006034:Glycyrrhetinic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D019695:Glycyrrhizic Acid; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D062367:ortho-Aminobenzoates / Q000494:pharmacology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D003524:Cyclosporins; D062367:ortho-Aminobenzoates; D003208:Concanavalin A; D019695:Glycyrrhizic Acid; D007371:Interferon-gamma; C015735:lobenzarit; D006034:Glycyrrhetinic Acid