Human interferon alpha and gamma production by lymphocytes during the generation of influenza virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes.
We analysed the production of interferons (IFN)-alpha and -gamma during the generation of human influenza-virus specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses using monoclonal antibodies in a specific radioimmunoassay. The results showed that the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM) of all donors tested produced IFN-gamma and had influenza A virus-specific CTL activity after stimulation. The amount of IFN-gamma produced and the level of CTL activity were significantly correlated. The PBM of some donors also produced IFN-alpha. The level of IFN-gamma produced was low during the first few days and increased subsequently, but IFN-alpha, when it was detected, was produced on day 1. The kinetics of the increase in IFN-gamma correlated with the increase in CTL activity. We also observed an increased percentage of cells bearing interleukin-2 receptors, which may have been a response to the production of IFN-gamma. The T cells active in lysing influenza A virus-infected target cells and in producing IFN-gamma were determined after separating effector cells with monoclonal antibodies. The CTL effector cells were mainly in the T8+ subset, but IFN-gamma-producing cells were found in both T4+ and T8+ subsets. These results suggest that influenza virus-specific T8+ CTL produce IFN-gamma in response to virus, and that T4+ cells which are not CTL effectors also produce IFN-gamma after restimulation with influenza A virus-infected cells.
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000276:immunology*; D009981:Influenza B virus / Q000276:immunology; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007700:Kinetics; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000032:analysis; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D007371:Interferon-gamma