Enhancement of human allogeneic cytotoxic responses by interferons.

Overview

The ability of exogenous interferons (IFN) to modify human allogeneic cytotoxic responses was studied. alpha- and beta-, and gamma-IFN, enhanced the cytotoxic responses if added at early phases of the cultures. The effect of exogenous IFN was abrogated if antibody directed against the specific IFN were present in the cultures. Normal allogeneic cytotoxic responses were abrogated in the presence of any of the anti-IFN antibodies. This inhibition could be overcome if exogenous IFN of any type (alpha, beta, or gamma) was added in excess to the cultures. IFN participate in the generation of allogeneic cytotoxic lymphocytes during mixed lymphocyte culture. It seems that each of the types of IFN supports the generation of cytotoxic responses independently of the presence of an IFN of another type.