Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1989. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
INTERFERON PRODUCTION DURING IMMUNOLOGICALLY RELATED DISEASES
The Interferon System. A Current Review to 1987. Baron S et al, eds. The University of Texas Medical Branch Series in Biomedical Science, Austin, TX, University of Texas Press, p. 319-25, 1987.. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/89650501 Hooks JJ; Detrick B; Immunology and Virology Section, Lab. of Immunology, Natl. Eye; Inst., NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892
Abstract:
The process of interferon (IFN) production during the course of an immune response may be augmented or depressed in certain disease states, and it may then either modify certain responses or contribute to some of the clinical manifestations. Alterations in the IFN system can be evaluated by abnormally high IFN in the circulation, by identification of IFN at a localized site, or by aberrant production of IFN by mononuclear cells tested in vitro. Such alterations have been associated with four human immunologically related disorders: autoimmunity, immunodeficiencies, selected lymphoid malignancies, and certain infections. Autoimmunity and immunodeficiency are most usually associated with elevations in circulating IFN, eg, in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, Sjogren's syndrome, vasculitis, Behcet's syndrome, and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada's syndrome, as well as the virus-induced immunodeficiency syndrome, AIDS. The presence of an acid-labile IFN-alpha in AIDS patients (pts) may be associated with the proposed etiologic agent HTLV III. With respect to identification of IFN at a localized site, IFN-gamma was recently found by the authors in association with the infiltration of T lymphocytes and the activation of major histocompatibility Class II antigens in the salivary glands of pts with Sjogren's syndrome and in the eyes of pts with ocular inflammation. With respect to aberrant production of IFN by mononuclear cells tested in vitro, a depressed ability of mononuclear cells to produce IFN-gamma has been found to be associated with (1) infections such as measles, simian foamy virus infections, tuberculosis, and leprosy, (2) autoimmune disorders such as SLE, (3) immunodeficiencies such as AIDS, and (4) lymphoid malignancies such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia of the B cell type. The defect has also been found in pts with retinitis pigmentosum. Implications of IFN production in regulation of the immune response are discussed. (27 Refs)
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/IMMUNOLOGY Autoimmune Diseases/*IMMUNOLOGY Histocompatibility Antigens Class II/IMMUNOLOGY Human HLA-DR Antigens/IMMUNOLOGY Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes/*IMMUNOLOGY Interferon Type I/BIOSYNTHESIS/IMMUNOLOGY Interferon Type II/BIOSYNTHESIS/IMMUNOLOGY Interferons/*BIOSYNTHESIS/IMMUNOLOGY MONOGRAPH REVIEW REVIEW, TUTORIAL
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1989. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
