title: Differential effects of interferon-alpha and interferon-gamma on interleukin 1 secretion by monocytes.
abstract: We examined the effect of interferon (IFN)-alpha and IFN-gamma on the ability of human monocytes to secrete interleukin 1 (IL 1). IFN-alpha directly induced IL 1 secretion by monocytes. IFN-gamma did not induce any IL 1. IFN-gamma-stimulated monocyte supernatants were also negative for pyrogenic activity. However, IFN-gamma greatly enhanced the amount of IL 1 secreted when monocytes were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide or Staphylococcus aureus, even at concentrations which by themselves did not induce IL 1. IFN-alpha did not enhance IL 1 secretion induced by other stimuli. IFN-gamma enhanced IL 1 secretion by priming monocytes to be more sensitive to an IL 1-inducing stimulus. However, IFN-gamma does not enhance IL 1 induced by all stimuli, because there was no enhancement of IL 1 induced by PMA. Thus, IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma have very distinct roles in the induction and enhancement of IL 1 by monocytes.
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I; D007375:Interleukin-1; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma