Potentiation of lymphocyte natural killing by mixtures of alpha or beta interferon with recombinant gamma interferon.
Human lymphocytes were treated with human alpha (IFN-alpha), beta (IFN-beta), or recombinant gamma (IFN-gamma) interferons separately or in combination to determine their ability to enhance natural killing against mouse L cell targets. Our results showed that recombinant IFN-gamma was approximately 50 times more active per unit of antiviral activity than either IFN-alpha or IFN-beta. Moreover, the levels of natural killing by lymphocytes treated with combinations of IFN-alpha and IFN-beta were additive, whereas combinations of recombinant IFN-gamma and IFN-alpha or recombinant IFN-gamma and IFN-beta were synergistic. The development of natural killing in lymphocytes treated with recombinant IFN-gamma did not occur more rapidly but reached higher levels (62%) than that observed with lymphocytes treated with IFN-alpha or IFN-beta (15%). The results suggest the importance of IFN-gamma and mixtures of IFN-gamma with IFN-alpha or IFN-beta in the enhancement of natural killing activity against virus infections and neoplasia.
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007700:Kinetics; D007739:L Cells / Q000276:immunology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007370:Interferon Type I; D007371:Interferon-gamma