Increased bactericidal macrophage activity induced by immunological stimuli is dependent on interferon (IFN)‐Γ

摘要

AbstractDuring generalized immune responses such as the acute phase of graft‐vs.‐host reaction (GvHR) or many systemic viral infections the macrophage‐monocyte system of mice is activated as demonstrated by their increased bactericidal capacity againstListeria monocytogenes.To study the effect of interferon (IFN)‐γ in maintainance of macrophage activity, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) primed C57BW6 mice or (C57BL/10 × B10.BR) F1mice undergoing a GvHR were treated with polyclonal specific sheep anti‐IFN‐γ antiserum. In both cases injection of anti‐IFN‐γ resulted in inhibition of the stimulatory effects on macrophages as detected by reduced bactericidal activity when compared to mice treated with normal serum. Treatment with a polyclonal sheep anti‐IFN‐α, β antiserum on the other hand did not interfere with the activation status of the macrophages. The findings suggest that IFN‐α is produced both early in a GvHR and during the acute phase of an systemic infection with LCMV, and that it is involved inin vivomodulation of the increased activity of mononuclear phagocytes in imm