title: Human alpha-interferon enhances in vitro IgM rheumatoid factor synthesis by lymphocytes from normal subjects and rheumatoid arthritis patients.
abstract: Alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN) was added to pokeweed mitogen (PWM) or Epstein-Barr virus stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures from normal subjects or patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Alpha-IFN enhanced in vitro production of PWM induced IgG and IgM, and significantly enhanced PWM induced IgM rheumatoid factor (IgM-RF) production by lymphocytes both from normal subjects and RA patients. Enhancement was recorded whether cells were preincubated with alpha-IFN for 16 hours or with alpha-IFN present throughout the culture period. Alpha-IFN did not enhance IgM-RF production in the absence of PWM or T cells. Enhancement of IgM-RF production was not seen in Epstein-Barr virus stimulated cultures.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology*; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor