The interaction of interferon with the immune response

Fulminant hepatitis

In conclusion, evidence exists that cellular and humoral immune-mediated processes result in hepatic necrosis in FH. Activation of the immune coagulation system appears to be an integral part of the inflammatory process resulting in fibrin thrombi which have been demonstrated in the liver, kidneys and lungs of patients with FH. A beneficial role of PG in the treatment of FH has been demonstrated, but controlled trials are required to firmly establish the efficacy of these agents. At present liver transplantation remains the treatment of choice in selected patients with FH. Further studies of the role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of this disease are required to devise more effective therapeutic strategies.

Interferons: biological and clinical effects

Interferons play a key role in the immune system as biological response modifiers. Interferons alpha, beta, and gamma have been characterized, their nucleotide sequences defined, and the proteins produced by recombinant DNA technology. The myriad actions of interferons include enhancement of natural killer cell activity and antigen expression, induction of varied proteins, activation of macrophages, and antiviral, antiproliferative and antitumor effects. Clinical trials have demonstrated efficacy of interferons in some malignancies and ongoing studies are investigating results of combinations with other biological response modifiers and cytotoxic agents.

Modulation of some Peyer's patch leukocyte functions following in vitro exposure to recombinant bovine alpha- and gamma-interferon

The immunomodulatory effects of recombinant bovine interferon-alpha 1(1) (rBoIFN-alpha 1(1] and -gamma (rBoIFN-gamma) on the response of bovine Peyer's patch leukocytes (PPL) to in vitro mitogenic stimulation were studied. The proliferative response of PPL to concanavalin A (Con A) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) was significantly inhibited by the addition of 5-1000 units/ml of rBoIFN-alpha 1(1). In contrast, rBoIFN-gamma showed significant enhancement of 3H-Thymidine (3HTdR) incorporation of PPL cultures at concentrations of 5-500 units/ml. Although the results of this study substantiated the previously reported suppressive ability of IFN-alpha 1(1) and the stimulating capacity of IFN-gamma, suppression or enhancement of lymphocyte proliferation was shown to be dependent on the concentration of the polyclonal activator and the length of time the target cells were exposed to IFN. Pre-exposure of target cells to rBoIFN-alpha 1(1) significantly increased its suppressive activity against the PPL response to Con A stimulation. In contrast, pre-exposure of PPL to rBoIFN-gamma did not affect its stimulatory capacity. Prestimulation of target cells with Con A significantly decreased the stimulatory capacity of rBoIFN-gamma and the suppressive activity of rBoIFN-alpha 1(1). These data demonstrate qualitative differences in the effects of rBoIFN-alpha 1(1) compared to those of rBoIFN-gamma on immune cells other than commonly studied circulating leukocytes.