In vitro inhibition of cell-mediated cytotoxicity against syngeneic Friend virus-induced leukemia by immunoregulatory alpha globulin.

Immunoregulatory alpha-globulin (IRA) derived from normal human plasma decreased cytotoxic reactivity as measured by an in vitro 5-iodo-2'-deoxyridine release assay of immune mouse lymphocytes against the syngeneic Friend virus-induced leukemia, FBL-3. This inhibitory effect depended on the dose of IRA used and was not due to the cytotoxic effects of IRA on the effector cells or target tumor cells. We also found elevated levels of serum alpha-gloubins in FBL-3 tumor-bearing mice as compared to normal mice. These data and the demonstration of decreased specific cytotoxic reactivity in FBL-3 tumor-bearing mice suggest that IRA functions in the suppression of the host's immune response against tumors.