title: The effect of recombinant alpha 2-interferon on defective natural killer cell activity in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Natural killer (NK) cell activity was evaluated in exacerbating/remitting MS patients. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC) from MS patients had impaired NK-cell cytotoxicity against the K562 myeloid target cell. NK activity was depressed, irrespective of the interval (2 to 13 months) after the last exacerbation. Recombinant alpha 2-interferon (100 U/ml) enhanced NK activity of both MS and control MNC. Cytotoxicity mediated by interferon-treated MS MNC was increased to the level of untreated control MNC. These studies show that MNC from exacerbating/remitting MS patients possess a defect in NK-cell activity that can be corrected in vitro by treatment with interferon.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I