Alpha-interferon enhances gamma-interferon production of peripheral blood mononuclear cells pre-activated with phytohemagglutinin.
The question of whether the state of T cell activation is responsible for gamma-interferon production in response to alpha-interferon was determined. When peripheral blood mononuclear cells were pre-incubated with phytohemagglutinin for 3 days, their gamma-interferon production was found to be augmented by alpha-interferon, accompanied by an increased proportion of DR-positive T cells. This did not occur with fresh cells. The effect was dose-dependent and inhibited by anti-alpha-interferon antibody. Therefore, alpha-interferon was considered to enhance the production of gamma-interferon of pre-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells but not of resting ones. In conclusion, alpha-interferon augmented the production of gamma-interferon of peripheral blood mononuclear cells only when they had already been activated, suggesting a role of alpha-interferon as a modulator of the cellular immune response.
Katayama
K
K
First Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka University School of Medicine, Japan.
Hayashi
N
N
Takehara
T
T
Suzuki
K
K
Kasahara
A
A
Fusamoto
H
H
Kamada
T
T
D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D015592:Immunoradiometric Assay; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000502:physiology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013997:Time Factors
D016898:Interferon-alpha; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D007371:Interferon-gamma