[Comparative studies of human natural IFN-alpha, IFN-beta and IFN-gamma with regard to their effects on in vitro immune responses].

Interferon (IFN) is known to affect a variety of immune responses apart from its well-established antiviral and antineoplastic effects. Three human IFN species: IFN-alpha, IFN-beta and IFN-gamma are now clinically available as a result of recent rapid improvements in IFN technology. In view of only the scanty data presently available concerning comparative studies among IFNs with regard to their effects on immune regulation, this report deals comparatively with natural IFN-alpha, IFN-beta and IFN-gamma (all products of Green Cross) with respect to their effects on natural killer cell (NK) activity, chemiluminescence (CL) of fractionated NK cells, lymphoproliferative response induced by PHA, PWM and Staphylococcus aureus COWAN-1 (SAC), and IL-2 production under stimulation with PHA (1:1000). Comparison among IFNs for these immune responses was performed with the same level of antiviral activity (IU). NK activity in the peripheral blood was enhanced in the presence of IFN of all species: to the same extent with IFN-alpha and IFN-beta, but significantly less for IFN-gamma as compared with the former. CL of NK cells to IFN was again similar in extent for IFN-alpha and -beta, but less for IFN-gamma. Inhibition of PHA and PWM blastogenesis was similar for IFN-alpha and -beta but less for IFN-gamma as shown previously. SAC blastogenesis of both peripheral lymphocytes and tonsillar B cells was enhanced in the presence of IFN-gamma but not in the presence of IFN-alpha or -beta. IL-2 production of peripheral lymphocytes by PHA (1:1000) was dose-relatedly enhanced in the presence of IFN-gamma but not in the presence of IFN-gamma or -beta.