EFFECTS OF VIRUS-INDUCED INTERFERONS ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1986. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

EFFECTS OF VIRUS-INDUCED INTERFERONS ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Prog Leukocyte Biol; 1:225-39 1985. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/86620626
Baron S; Fleischmann WR Jr; Klimpel G; Stanton GJ; Dept. of Microbiology, The Univ. of Texas Medical Branch,; Galveston, TX 77550

Abstract: Effects of virus-induced interferons (IFN) on the immune system are reviewed. Pathways for viral induction of IFN include stimulation of macrophages, probably by intracellular foreign viral nucleic material, to produce IFN-alpha; stimulation of B lymphocytes by infected membranes to produce IFN-alpha and stimulation of null lymphocytes by infected membranes to produce IFN-alpha and probably IFN-beta or -gamma; stimulation of T lymphocytes by specific viral antigens or non-specific mitogens to produce IFN-gamma; and stimulation of epithelial or fibroblast cells by viral infection to produce IFN-beta. Under most conditions, interferon inhibits all the major steps in antibody formation, except for the continued production of antibody by plasma cells. Interferon decreases the proliferation of T-lymphocytes and their precursors, but has varying effects on the effector functions depending in its concentration and whether it is administered before or after the antigen. Interferon enhances cell-mediated cytolysis in vitro. However, during in vivo infections, cytotoxic T cells may be suppressed and in patients treated with interferon for prolonged times, NK activity may be decreased. Effects of IFNs on immediate hypersensitivity and cell surface components are summarized. In addition, transfer of IFN activation among cells, special properties of IFN-gamma, synergistic inhibition of virus by IFNs and antibody, the role of IFNs in immune and autoimmune diseases, prophylactic treatment of blood products with IFNs to protect against viral transmission, and the role of IFNs in persistent leukocyte infections, are discussed. (72 Refs)

Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/IMMUNOLOGY Animal Antibody Formation Antigens, Surface/IMMUNOLOGY Antigens, Viral/IMMUNOLOGY Autoimmune Diseases/IMMUNOLOGY Cytotoxicity, Immunologic Hepatitis B/IMMUNOLOGY Human Hypersensitivity, Immediate/IMMUNOLOGY *Immunocompetence Interferons/BIOSYNTHESIS/*IMMUNOLOGY Leukocytes/IMMUNOLOGY T-Lymphocytes/IMMUNOLOGY Virus Diseases/*IMMUNOLOGY MEETING PAPER

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