Effect of interferon beta on human myelin basic protein-specific T-cell lines: comparison of IFNbeta-1a and IFNbeta-1b.

The effect of interferon (IFN)beta-1a and IFNbeta-1b on human myelin basic protein-reactive T-cell lines was investigated. Both drugs inhibited proliferation and production of lymphotoxin (LT), whereas the production of interleukin-4 was not altered and interleukin-10 was induced. Comparing equal numbers of units IFNbeta-1a and -1b showed almost identical results. These in vitro data indicate that the immunomodulatory capacity of both interferons with respect to T cells paralleled their antiviral effect.