title: Effect of interferon on the in vitro synthesis of paraprotein by plasma cells in myeloma.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of interferon on in vitro immunoglobulin synthesis by the plasma cells of patients with multiple myeloma. Bone marrow cultures were set up in the presence of media alone or alpha-interferon. Supernatants were harvested over a 24-hour period and assayed for paraprotein immunoglobulin synthesis using radio-immunoassays developed in this department. The 24-hour paraprotein synthesis ranged from 9 to 493 micrograms/10(6) plasma cells in patients with IgG myeloma (n = 11), and from 0.3 to 8.3 micrograms/10(6) plasma cells in those with IgA (n = 4). Alpha-Interferon had variable effects on paraprotein synthesis in IgG myelomas, causing an inhibition of synthesis (up to 61%) in 3 patients and an enhancement of synthesis (up to 95%) in 5 cases. In IgA myelomas, on the other hand, alpha-interferon caused inhibition of synthesis in 1 case. In the 2 patients studied during alpha-interferon administration, IgG synthesis was significantly reduced. More cases are currently being investigated. Clearly, immunoglobulin synthesis by plasma cells shows variable modulation by alpha-interferon in vitro.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000378:metabolism; D010266:Paraproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007370:Interferon Type I; D010266:Paraproteins