Properties of the SIRS suppressor pathway.

The SIRS suppressor pathway is initiated by activation of Ly 2+ T lymphocytes by either con A or IFN beta. SIRS is a protein which has been purified and exists as two species with mol. wts. of 14,000 and 21,500. The target of SIRS is the macrophage and macrophages appear to oxidize or activate SIRS in a peroxide dependent process. Catalase blocks SIRS or IFN beta action by consuming H2O2 and levamisole blocks SIRS or IFN beta by preventing activation or oxidation of SIRS by H2O2. Other agents which block SIRS or IFN beta action include electron donors which can inactivate SIRSox. SIRSox is a potent inhibitor of immune responses and proliferation of normal and neoplastic cells. The mechanism of SIRSox-mediated inhibition of proliferation appears to involve oxidation or modification of protein sulfhydryls. Although the applicability of this pathway to the regulation of immune responses and cellular proliferation remains to be determined, both IFN beta and levamisole have been found to affect a wide variety of cellular processes. The involvement of both IFN beta and levamisole in the SIRS pathway suggests that this pathway may be an important host mechanism for regulating both immune responses and cellular proliferation in general.