The role of human autoantibodies against gamma-interferon.
Natural antibodies to gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma) were detected in the serum of viral infected patients and also in the serum of healthy subjects at a lower titre. The increased titres of antibodies to IFN-gamma in sera from viral infected patients, and their decrease with clinical resolution, indicates that these antibodies are related to the viral infection and probably reflect IFN-gamma production as a result of antigenic stimulation in vivo. These antibodies were affinity-purified and studied for their capability to interfere with the multiple activities of IFN-gamma in vitro. Data obtained show that human anti-IFN-gamma antibodies interfere with the immunomodulating activity but not with the antiviral and antiproliferative activity of lymphokine. Autoantibodies to IFN-gamma may have a role in the immunoregulatory process serving to limit the intensity and or duration of the immune response. Being able to interfere with the immunomodulating activities of IFN-gamma, these antibodies might open up new therapeutic possibilities for those diseases which carry evidence of activated cell-mediated immunity.
Turano
A
A
Istituto di Microbiologia, Università Degli Studi di Brescia, Italy.
Caruso
A
A
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology*
D001323:Autoantibodies; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D007371:Interferon-gamma