Differential effects of beta and gamma interferons on expression of major histocompatibility complex antigens and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in cultured fetal human astrocytes.
We investigated the modulatory effects of human interferon beta (IFN-beta) and gamma (IFN-gamma) on expression of class I and II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in fetal human astrocytes in culture using flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. Under the baseline condition, class I MHC antigen and ICAM-1 were expressed in a moderate number (23 to 76%) of astrocytes, whereas class II MHC antigen was expressed in only a small number (0.3 to 8%) of astrocytes. Following a 72-hour treatment with IFN-gamma (10 to 100 U/ml), expression of all three antigens increased greatly. Expression of class I MHC antigen was also elevated by exposure to IFN-beta (10 and 100 IU/ml). However, IFN-beta did not significantly induce expression of class II MHC antigen or ICAM-1. Furthermore, IFN-beta significantly reduced IFN-gamma-induced expression of class II MHC antigen but not of class I MHC antigen or of ICAM-1. The differential effects of IFN-beta and IFN-gamma on expression of class I and II MHC antigens and ICAM-1 in fetal human astrocytes suggest that interferons serve as modulators of astrocyte function at sites of inflammation in the human CNS.
Satoh
J
J
Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Paty
D W
DW
Kim
S U
SU
D000029:Abortion, Legal; D000032:Abortion, Therapeutic; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D001921:Brain / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D005865:Gestational Age; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000032:analysis; D006681:HLA-D Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D011247:Pregnancy; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology
D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D006681:HLA-D Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D016899:Interferon-beta; D007371:Interferon-gamma