Effect of interferon on antibody formation.

Virus induced IFN (IFN alpha or beta) suppresses the antibody response in both mouse and human. The suppression may be related to IFN effect on intermediary metabolism (inhibition of hexose monophosphate shunt) which could result in activation of protein kinase activities. Immune IFN (IFN gamma) also suppresses the antibody response with purified IFN gamma more effective than crude, suggesting that crude IFN gamma preparations contain an antagonist. The cellular interactions that regulate IFN gamma production are similar to those for antibody production with helper and suppressor cell activities. T-cell growth factor or interleukin 2 will mediate helper cell requirements and appears to be an absolute requirement for IFN gamma production.