Effects of interferon-alpha/beta and interferon-gamma preparations on phagocytosis by mouse peritoneal macrophages.

The influence of murine alpha/beta-interferon (Mu IFN-alpha/beta) and murine gamma-interferon (Mu IFN-gamma) preparations on the attachment and ingestion phase of phagocytosis by mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPM) was studied. A non-opsonized strain of Escherichia coli, IgG-opsonized E. coli, and sheep erythrocytes opsonized with IgG (E-IgG) and IgM plus complement factor C3b (E-IgMC) were used as test particles. Pretreatment of MPM with 10(2)-10(3) U/ml of Mu IFN-alpha/beta for 24 h enhanced both attachment and ingestion of bacteria or erythrocytes mediated by the non-specific receptor, the Fc receptor, or the C3b receptor. Higher concentrations had no such effects. In contrast, treatment of MPM with 10(1)-10(2)U/ml of Mu IFN-gamma suppressed attachment and ingestion of non-opsonized and IgG-opsonized E. coli and of E-IgG by 10-40%. Mu IFN-gamma did not influence attachment and ingestion of E-IgMC. The effects were neutralized by specific anti-IFN antiserum. The data indicate that the IFN effect on phagocytic activity is, at least to a large extent, due to modifications of the surface receptors.