Direct evidence for the anti-inflammatory effect of human interferon-alpha in CFLP mice. Brief report.

In CFLP mice, intravenously administered partially purified interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha 2 X 10(6) mu/mg protein), prepared from human leukocytes, reduced carrageenan-induced paw swelling and produced slight irritation when injected into the footpad. Anti-human IFN-alpha serum abolished the anti-inflammatory effect but did not influence local phlogogenic activity. Highly purified human IFN-alpha (1.2 X 10(8) mu/mg protein) was also found to be anti-inflammatory after intravenous administration, and devoid of irritative effect at the injection site. These results suggest that human IFN-alpha possesses a direct inhibitory effect on acute inflammation in mice, and the irritation appearing at the site of its application might be due to some impurities being present in the partially purified preparations.