Retinitis pigmentosa associated with a defect in the production of interferon-gamma.

Peripheral lymphocytes from patients with retinitis pigmentosa have a deficiency in their ability to produce the lymphokine, interferon-gamma. In 12 patients we found that peripheral leukocytes produced subnormal levels of interferon-gamma. These findings suggested that altered immune reactivity is one of the abnormalities associated with retinitis pigmentosa.