Induction of circulating IL-1 receptor antagonist by IFN treatment.
This study was undertaken to determine whether IFN induce IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), a specific inhibitor of IL-1. Plasma samples were obtained from healthy volunteers (n = 5) and patients with chronic hepatitis C (n = 5) treated with IFN-alpha, and from patients with renal cell carcinoma (n = 6) treated with IFN-gamma and assayed for IL-1Ra by a specific radioimmunoassay. Both types of IFN were administered subcutaneously. In vitro studies were carried out with PBMC from healthy volunteers. A single, low and nontoxic dose (1 x 10(6) U) of IFN-alpha induced circulating IL-1Ra, which reached peak levels within 12 h. This effect was dose-dependent and more pronounced with a higher dose (5 x 10(6) U). Peak IL-1Ra levels 12 h after 5 x 10(6) U IFN-alpha were 4.16 +/- 0.35 ng/ml in healthy volunteers and 5.7 +/- 0.73 ng/ml in patients with chronic hepatitis C (difference not significant). Thereafter levels declined but remained elevated for 24 h. IFN-gamma treatment led only to a modest increase of circulating IL-1Ra even at a dose of 400 micrograms; this dose, however, was associated with side effects similar to those seen after injection of 5 x 10(6) U IFN-alpha. PBMC stimulated with IFN-alpha or IFN-gamma produced IL-1Ra in vitro. The induction of IL-1Ra may contribute to the antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative effects of IFN.
Tilg
H
H
Department of Medicine, New England Medical Center Hospitals, Boston, MA 02111.
Mier
J W
JW
Vogel
W
W
Aulitzky
W E
WE
Wiedermann
C J
CJ
Vannier
E
E
Huber
C
C
Dinarello
C A
CA
D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000628:therapy; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*
C507763:IL1RN protein, human; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D007375:Interleukin-1; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma