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PubMed1985

Gamma interferon is the lymphokine and beta interferon the monokine responsible for inhibition of fibroblast collagen production and late but not early fibroblast proliferation.

Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells activated with concanavalin A (Con A) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) produce, respectively, lymphokines (LK) of 50,000 Mr or monokines (MK) of 20,000 Mr that inhibit the growth and collagen production of cultured human dermal fibroblasts. Because antigenic typing of the antiviral activity of these LK and MK preparations revealed that LK contained mainly gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), and MK, primarily IFN-beta, we investigated if any of the fibroblast-inhibiting activities could be attributed to human IFN. Unlike LK and MK, which act within 24 h to inhibit the growth of subconfluent foreskin and adult dermal fibroblasts, samples of purified, natural derived IFN-alpha, -beta, and -gamma and recombinant DNA-derived IFN-alpha 2 and -gamma were ineffective inhibitors at 24 h and required 48-72 h to significantly inhibit growth. However, all IFN did mimic LK/MK action in causing concentration-dependent inhibition of collagen production by confluent fibroblast microcultures. Furthermore, the collagen production-inhibiting activity of Con A-induced LK supernatant and its 50,000 Mr fraction was completely suppressed by 10(3) neutralizing U/ml of either polyclonal or monoclonal antibody to IFN-gamma, while polyclonal antibodies to IFN-alpha and -beta had no effect. Similarly, the collagen production-inhibiting activity of LPS-induced MK supernatant and its 20,000 Mr fraction was suppressed by polyclonal anti-IFN-beta but not by anti-IFN-alpha or -gamma. Anti-IFN failed to reverse early-acting LK or MK growth-inhibiting activities. These data suggest collagen production-inhibiting LK and MK are IFN-gamma and IFN-beta, respectively, and that early acting, growth-inhibiting LK and MK are not IFN.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1997

Interleukin-18 (interferon-gamma-inducing factor) is produced by osteoblasts and acts via granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor and not via interferon-gamma to inhibit osteoclast formation.

We have established by differential display polymerase chain reaction of mRNA that interleukin (IL)-18 is expressed by osteoblastic stromal cells. The stromal cell populations used for comparison differed in their ability to promote osteoclast-like multinucleated cell (OCL) formation. mRNA for IL-18 was found to be expressed in greater abundance in lines that were unable to support OCL formation than in supportive cells. Recombinant IL-18 was found to inhibit OCL formation in cocultures of osteoblasts and hemopoietic cells of spleen or bone marrow origin. IL-18 inhibited OCL formation in the presence of osteoclastogenic agents including 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, prostaglandin E2, parathyroid hormone, IL-1, and IL-11. The inhibitory effect of IL-18 was limited to the early phase of the cocultures, which coincides with proliferation of hemopoietic precursors. IL-18 has been reported to induce interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) production in T cells, and both agents also inhibit OCL formation in vitro. Neutralizing antibodies to GM-CSF were able to rescue IL-18 inhibition of OCL formation, whereas neutralizing antibodies to IFN-gamma did not. In cocultures with osteoblasts and spleen cells from IFN-gamma receptor type II-deficient mice, IL-18 was found to inhibit OCL formation, indicating that IL-18 acted independently of IFN-gamma production: IFN-gamma had no effect in these cocultures. Additionally, in cocultures in which spleen cells were derived from receptor-deficient mice and osteoblasts were from wild-type mice and vice versa, we identified that the target cells for IFN-gamma inhibition of OCL formation were the hemopoietic cells. The work provides evidence that IL-18 is expressed by osteoblasts and inhibits OCL formation via GM-CSF production and not via IFN-gamma production.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-1 and IRF-2 regulate interferon gamma-dependent cyclooxygenase 2 expression.

Cyclooxygenases (Cox) are rate-limiting enzymes that initiate the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostanoids. Cox-2 is the inducible isoform that is upregulated by proinflammatory agents, initiating many prostanoid-mediated pathological aspects of inflammation. In this study, we demonstrate that interferon (IFN)-gamma alone or in synergy with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or interleukin 1alpha induces Cox-2 expression in mouse peritoneal macrophages, which is paralleled by changes in Cox-2 protein levels and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) release. Induction of Cox-2 was abrogated in macrophages that lack IFN regulatory factor (IRF)-1, consistent with an attenuated hepatic mRNA response in IRF-1(-/-) mice injected with LPS. Conversely, the absence of IRF-2 in macrophages resulted in a significant increase in both basal and inducible Cox-2 gene and protein expression as well as IFN-gamma-stimulated PGE(2) release, identifying IRF-2 as negative regulator of this promoter. Two IFN stimulation response elements were identified in the mouse Cox-2 promoter that were highly conserved in the human Cox-2 gene. Both bind endogenous IRF-1 and IRF-2 and regulate transcription in an IRF-1/2-dependent manner. Our data demonstrate conclusively the importance of IFN-gamma as a direct activator and coactivator of the Cox-2 gene, and the central role of IRF-1/2 family members in this process.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Abnormal regulation of interferon-gamma, interleukin-12, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in human interferon-gamma receptor 1 deficiency.

Mycobacterial infections are critically controlled by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and the cellular responses it elaborates, as shown by patients with mutations in the IFN-gamma receptor ligand-binding chain (IFN-gamma R1) who have disseminated nontuberculous mycobacterial infections. The immunologic sequelae of IFN-gamma R1 deficiency were characterized in 2 unrelated patients from the Indian subcontinent with novel homozygous recessive IFN-gamma R1 mutations. In vitro, these patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells produced 10% of normal IFN-gamma and interleukin-12 (IL-12) in response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) but normal amounts of IFN-gamma in response to PHA plus IL-12. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production was normal in response to endotoxin and to PHA but was not augmented by the addition of IFN-gamma. An abnormal phenotype was not found in heterozygous patient relatives. These patients demonstrate the critical role that the IFN-gamma receptor plays in the regulation of IFN-gamma, IL-12, and TNF-alpha.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1986

Modulation of interferon-alpha and interferon-gamma receptor expression during T-lymphocyte activation and proliferation.

Freshly isolated normal human T lymphocytes constitutively expressed receptors for interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and IFN-gamma. Upon activation, the number of IFN-alpha receptors increased, paralleling the increases in cell size to give a nearly constant density of IFN-alpha receptors. In contrast, activation of T lymphocytes with phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (ConA), or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) for 18 h decreased the specific binding of radiolabeled [Cys-Tyr-Cys] rIFN-gamma to acid-washed cells. Scatchard analysis demonstrated that the decreased binding was due to a reduction in the number of high affinity IFN-gamma receptors. Moreover, resting T lymphocytes had a single class of high-affinity IFN-gamma receptors, whereas the activated cells appeared to have both high- and lower-affinity IFN-gamma binding sites. When normalized for differences in cell size, the number of high-affinity IFN-gamma receptors per unit cell surface area was approximately twofold lower on activated than on resting T lymphocytes. At least part of the decrease was due to receptor downregulation by endogenously produced IFN-gamma, since monoclonal antibodies to IFN-gamma prevented a large portion of the PHA-induced decrease in IFN-gamma receptors.

Acids↗
PubMed1988

Interferons-alpha/beta- and -gamma-resistant Friend cell variants exhibiting receptor sites for interferons but no induction of 2-5A synthetase and 67K protein kinase.

A number of Friend leukemia cell variants with a interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-resistant phenotype have been isolated. They appear resistant to the antiproliferative action of IFN-gamma and to the induction of the antiviral state assessed by Friend leukemia virus release and vesicular stomatitis virus yield. Selection was performed via a prolonged exposure to increasing amounts of highly purified recombinant IFN-gamma of wild-type Friend cells or of variant clones thereof already resistant to IFN-alpha/beta (Affabris et al., 1982, Virology 120, 441-452). Only the clones derived from IFN-alpha/beta-resistant variants showed a phenotype fully resistant to IFN-gamma treatment while keeping their previously acquired resistance to IFN-alpha/beta. These cells are not deficient in high-affinity receptors for IFN-gamma so that their resistant phenotype appears to be mediated by events distal to binding of IFN-gamma to its receptors. Furthermore, analysis of IFN-induced dsRNA-dependent 2-5A synthetase and 67K protein kinase enzymatic activities, biochemical markers for cellular responses to IFN, showed that both these activities were not induced in IFN-alpha/beta and IFN-gamma-resistant clones when treated with either type of IFN. Accordingly, no increased expression of 2-5A synthetase mRNA(s) could be detected by probing poly(A)+-enriched RNA from cells exposed to IFN-alpha/beta or IFN-gamma treatment with murine or human specific cDNAs. On the other hand, no major changes in restriction patterns of 2-5A synthetase gene(s) were observed in these variant cells by restriction endonuclease digestion and Southern blotting. In addition, analysis of 2-5A synthetase mRNA induction, performed on wild-type cells, showed that the kinetic of induction due to IFN-gamma treatment is slower than that obtained with IFN-alpha/beta.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗
PubMed1989

Production of interferon-alpha induced by dsRNA in human peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures: role of priming by dsRNA-induced interferons-gamma and -beta.

Poly(I):poly(C) (rIn.rCn), mismatched poly(I):poly(C) [rIn.r(C12U)n], and poly(I):poly(C) poly-lysine carboxymethylcellulose [poly(ICLC)] were studied for their capacity to induce interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) in human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (MNC) cultures and in their subpopulations. In MNC, poly(I):poly(C) and mismatched poly(I):poly(C) induced IFN-alpha in a dose-dependent manner, whereas poly(ICLC) was unable to do so in concentrations that ranged from 1 to 160 micrograms/ml. In contrast, all three molecules were incapable of inducing IFN-alpha when added into either purified monocyte or lymphocyte cultures. The capacity of poly(I):poly(C) to induce IFN-alpha was reestablished only in monocyte cultures when, prior to the stimulation, the cells were exposed for at least 2 h to supernatants from poly(I):poly(C)-stimulated lymphocyte cultures. IFN-beta and IFN-gamma were found in those supernatants and the ability of each dsRNA to induce IFN-alpha correlated with its ability to induce IFN-gamma. Further studies using recombinant human IFN-gamma and IFN-beta and their specific antibodies corroborated an important role of these molecules for the induction of IFN-alpha with dsRNA. Because each IFN type is produced by different cells, our studies show that complex cell-to-cell interactions via other IFNs have to take place in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC) cultures before IFN-alpha can be induced by dsRNA.

Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium↗
PubMed1992

A comparison of interferon-Con1 with natural recombinant interferons-alpha: antiviral, antiproliferative, and natural killer-inducing activities.

The antiviral, antiproliferative, and natural killer (NK) cell activation by recombinant human interferon-consensus (IFN-Con1) has been compared with that of two other type I IFNs: IFN-alpha 2a (Roferon) and IFN-alpha 2b (Intron A). The specific activity (antiviral units/mg) of IFN-Con1 was 10-fold higher than that of the other two IFNs in the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-HeLa antiviral assay. The antiproliferative activity on a molar basis of IFN-Con1 on Daudi cells and Eskol (a human leukemic hairy cell-like cell line) was significantly greater than that of IFN-alpha 2a and IFN-alpha 2b. IFN-Con1 also enhanced or induced NK cell killing of target cells to a greater extent than that of IFN-alpha 2a and IFN-alpha 2b. However, on antiviral unit basis, the activities were similar. These results would suggest that IFN-Con1 may be more effective at lower protein concentrations in clinical applications than other available IFNs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Interferon-alpha/beta inhibits the apoptosis induced by lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma in murine peritoneal macrophages.

Challenge of elicited peritoneal macrophages with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) was followed by an apoptotic response. These cells expressed cytokine-inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in response to these stimuli, and the NO released contributed markedly to the apoptotic death, as deduced from the increased viability observed when iNOS activity was inhibited. The antiviral type I IFN (IFN-alpha/beta) down-regulated the high levels of NO produced when cells were stimulated with suboptimal doses of LPS and IFN-gamma. Moreover, IFN-alpha/beta also decreased cell death in LPS/IFN-gamma-activated cells, as determined by the reduction in the content of oligonucleosomal DNA fragments, in the binding of annexin V to the plasma membrane, and in the amount of hypodiploid cells when analyzed by flow cytometry after in vivo staining with propidium iodide. Kinetic analysis of the protection exerted by IFN-alpha/beta) against the apoptosis induced by treatment with LPS and IFN-gamma showed that type I IFNs were very effective when added up to 1 h after IFN-gamma/LPS stimulation. Addition of IFN-alpha/beta 4 h after stimulation with IFN-gamma/LPS failed completely to prevent apoptosis. This inhibition of apoptosis elicited by IFN-alpha/beta suggests the existence of a mechanism intended to improve macrophage viability in the course of certain viral infections.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

The proximal interferon-stimulated response elements are essential for interferon responsiveness: a promoter analysis of the antiviral MxA gene.

Interferon (IFN)-inducible human MxA protein mediates resistance against influenza and several other RNA viruses. The MxA gene is under the control of type I IFN and, in certain cell types, is also directly activated by viruses. Here we show that in human macrophages, MxA mRNA levels are upregulated by very low doses of IFN-alpha in a dose-dependent manner. A similar, albeit much weaker, dose-dependent induction was seen with IFN-gamma. The induction was rapid and independent of protein synthesis. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) did not influence MxA mRNA levels alone or in combination with IFNs, in spite of the presence of putative response elements of these cytokines in the MxA promoter. We show that the promoter of the MxA gene contains two functional IFN-stimulated response elements (ISRE) near the transcription start site and one homologous ISRE-like element, which is apparently nonfunctional, further upstream. The two proximal ISRE sites are essential for IFN-alpha-induced transcription and appear to be binding sites for IFN-stimulated gene factor 3 complex. In addition, EMSA and DNAse I footprinting analysis demonstrated that Spl binds with high affinity to a region encompassing nucleotides -25 and -50 and, thus, may provide means of interaction with the basal transcriptional machinery.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed2000

The effect of interferon beta-1b treatment on MRI measures of cerebral atrophy in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. European Study Group on Interferon beta-1b in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.

The recently completed European trial of interferon beta-1b (IFNbeta-1b) in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SP multiple sclerosis) has given an opportunity to assess the impact of treatment on cerebral atrophy using serial MRI. Unenhanced T(1)-weighted brain imaging was acquired in a subgroup of 95 patients from five of the European centres; imaging was performed at 6-month intervals from month 0 to month 36. A blinded observer measured cerebral volume on four contiguous 5 mm cerebral hemisphere slices at each time point, using an algorithm with a high level of reproducibility and automation. There was a significant and progressive reduction in cerebral volume in both placebo and treated groups, with a mean reduction of 3.9 and 2.9%, respectively, by month 36 (P = 0.34 between groups). Exploratory subgroup analyses indicated that patients without gadolinium (Gd) enhancement at the baseline had a greater reduction of cerebral volume in the placebo group (mean reduction at month 36: placebo 5.1%, IFNbeta-1b 1.8%, P < 0.05) whereas those with Gd-enhancing lesions showed a trend to greater reduction of cerebral volume if the patient was on IFNbeta-1b (placebo 2.6%, IFNbeta-1b 3.7%; P > 0.05). These results are consistent with ongoing tissue loss in both arms of this study of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. This finding is concordant with previous observations that disease progression, although delayed, is not halted by IFNbeta. The different pattern seen in patients with and without baseline gadolinium enhancement suggests that part of the cerebral volume reduction observed in IFNbeta-treated patients may be due to the anti-inflammatory/antioedematous effect of the drug. Longer periods of observation and larger groups of patients may be needed to detect the effects of treatment on cerebral atrophy in this population of patients with advanced disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Indole-3-carbinol stimulates transcription of the interferon gamma receptor 1 gene and augments interferon responsiveness in human breast cancer cells.

Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a naturally occurring compound of Brassica vegetables, has promising anticancer properties and activates an anti-proliferative pathway that induces a G1 cell cycle arrest of human breast cancer cells. A microarray analysis of I3C treated versus untreated MCF-7 breast cancer cells revealed that I3C increased expression of the interferon gamma receptor 1 (IFNgammaR1). Western blot and RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that I3C strongly and rapidly stimulated IFNgammaR1 gene expression. Transfection of a series of 5' deletion constructs of the IFNgammaR1 reporter plasmids revealed that I3C significantly stimulates the promoter activity of the IFNgammaR1 and uncovered an I3C-responsive region between -540 and -240 bp of the IFNgammaR1 promoter. I3C stimulation of the IFNgammaR1 expression suggests that indole treatment should enhance IFNgamma responsiveness in breast cancer cells. A combination of I3C and IFNgamma synergistically activated STAT1 proteins by increasing phosphorylation at the Tyr-701 site. In addition, I3C and IFNgamma together more effectively induced a G1 cell cycle arrest and stimulated expression of the p21(Waf1/Cip1) cell cycle inhibitor, compared with the effects of either agent alone. Our results suggest that one mechanism by which I3C mediates these anticancer effects is by stimulating expression of the IFNgammaR1 and augmenting the IFNgamma response in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.

Anticarcinogenic Agents↗
PubMed1991

Neutralizing antibodies to interferon-alpha: relative frequency in patients treated with different interferon preparations.

The frequencies of antibody development so far reported in patients treated with different interferons (IFNs) are not readily comparable because of differences in treatment regimens and assay methods. Thus the frequency of neutralizing antibody development was analyzed in a large sample of sera derived from a relatively homogeneous group of patients treated with different IFN-alpha preparations. The frequency of developing neutralizing antibody to IFN varied according to the IFN given. Particularly, the seroconversion frequency was significantly higher in patients treated with recombinant IFN-alpha 2a (20.2%) than in patients treated with either recombinant IFN-alpha 2b (6.9%) or IFN-alpha N1 (1.2%), a lymphoblastoid IFN-alpha. Furthermore, sera obtained from patients treated with either recombinant IFN neutralized both types of recombinant IFNs but failed to neutralize IFN-alpha N1.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1993

Listeria monocytogenes-induced interferon-gamma primes the host for production of tumor necrosis factor and interferon-alpha/beta.

Mice acquired an enhanced capacity for the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and the interferons (IFN)-alpha, and -beta shortly after intravenous injection of viable Listeria monocytogenes. By the end of the first day of a sublethal infection, mice were primed to produce 100-1000 times more endotoxin-induced serum TNF than is produced by normal mice. Acquisition of the augmented capacity for TNF production was due to L. monocytogenes-induced IFN-gamma. IFN-gamma also primed infected mice for IFN-alpha/beta production. However, in addition to IFN-gamma, other L. monocytogenes-induced mechanisms endowed the host with an enhanced potential for the production of IFN-alpha/beta. Antibody-mediated depletion of various cell types in vivo revealed that CD8+ cells and NK cells are required for the production of L. monocytogenes-induced IFN-gamma during the first day of listeriosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Treatment of malignant carcinoid tumors with recombinant interferon alfa-2b: development of neutralizing interferon antibodies and possible loss of antitumor activity.

Twenty patients with malignant carcinoid tumors were treated for 6 months with recombinant interferon alfa-2b (IFN alpha-2b; Intron-A; Schering Corp., Bloomfield, NJ) at a mean dose of 5.9 megaunits three times per week. Eleven of the 20 patients (55%) had a greater than 50% reduction of tumor markers (urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid or plasma neuropeptide K), showing objective tumor response. Six patients (30%) had stable disease with no significant change in tumor markers or tumor size, and three (15%) had progressive disease with an increase in tumor markers and size. These results are similar to those reported earlier for treatment with natural leukocyte IFN in patients with carcinoid tumors. Only two patients (35%) had a slight reduction of tumor size after 6 months of treatment. Three patients developed neutralizing antibodies to IFN alpha-2b. Two of these patients initially showed an objective response, which lasted until IFN antibodies developed. In one of these patients, a change to human leukocyte IFN resulted in normalization of antibody titers within 3 months, and the patient had a second objective clinical response. There was no correlation between development of IFN antibodies and development of autoimmune phenomena such as increased titers of antinuclear antibodies or thyroid autoantibodies. IFN alpha-2b seems to be as potent as human leukocyte IFN in the treatment of patients with malignant carcinoid tumors, but it is important to recognize that antibodies neutralizing IFN may develop in some patients, with concomitant loss of antitumor effects. A change to natural leukocyte IFN might be beneficial in these patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Isolation of human colon carcinoma cells for resistance to a single interferon associated with cross-resistance to multiple recombinant interferons: alpha, beta, and gamma.

We established variants resistant to human interferon (IFN) from an IFN-sensitive human colon carcinoma cell line and delineated some of the mechanisms for resistance to IFN-mediated cytotoxicity. The parent KM12C cells were incubated for 2 months in medium containing recombinant human IFN-alpha hybrid BBDD (r-IFN-alpha) or recombinant human IFN-gamma (r-IFN-gamma). Surviving variants were designated KM12 alpha R and KM12 gamma R, respectively. KM12 alpha R cells were cross-resistant to the cytostatic and cytolytic effects of r-IFN-alpha, r-IFN-beta, and r-IFN-gamma, whereas KM12 gamma R cells were resistant only to the effects of r-IFN-gamma. The parent and variant cell lines had similar in vitro growth rates and similar tumorigenicity in male BALB/c nude mice, but the mechanisms for resistance to IFNs differed in the two variant lines. The resistance of the cross-resistant KM12 alpha R cell line was not attributable to the loss of specific receptors, because our analyses demonstrated the presence of receptors for IFN-gamma, whereas the KM12 gamma R line lacked specific receptors for IFN-gamma. Northern blot analyses revealed that messenger RNA (mRNA) from the proto-oncogene c-myc was equally expressed in the IFN-sensitive and IFN-resistant cell lines and that treatment with r-IFN-gamma did not alter its expression. Treatment with r-IFN-gamma induced the expression of manganous superoxide dismutase mRNA in KM12C and KM12 alpha R cells, but not in KM12 gamma R cells, confirming that both KM12C and KM12 alpha R cells, but not KM12 gamma R cells, have functional receptors for IFN-gamma.

Blotting, Northern↗
PubMed1992

Antiproliferative potencies of interferons on melanoma cell lines and xenografts: higher efficacy of interferon beta.

BACKGROUND: Human melanomas have shown only limited responsiveness to clinical therapy with interferon (IFN). PURPOSE: Our aim was to determine the most effective class of IFN for inhibiting growth of melanoma cells and to establish whether variation exists in response of various cell lines to different IFNs. METHODS: We compared the direct antiproliferative effects of the type I IFN alpha-2b, IFN alpha-4a, and IFN-beta and the type II IFN-gamma on eight melanoma cell lines grown in vitro. We did this comparison by determining the concentration of each IFN that resulted in 50% growth inhibition, using the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium tetrazolium bromide] dye uptake method. We also tested IFN alpha-2a and IFN-beta for their ability to inhibit the growth of xenografts of the LiBr melanoma cell line in vivo in nude mice. Receptor binding was determined using [35S]methionine-labeled IFN alpha-4a, in competition with unlabeled IFN alpha-2b, IFN alpha-4a, and IFN-beta. RESULTS: The melanoma cell lines differed markedly in their sensitivity to the IFNs tested: Five were sensitive to low concentrations (less than 30 pM) of IFN-beta, only one was sensitive to similar concentrations of IFN alpha-2b, and none were sensitive to IFN alpha-4a at concentrations up to 920 pM. For all cell lines, the antiproliferative potency of the type I IFNs was IFN-beta greater than IFN alpha-2b greater than IFN alpha-4a. IFN-gamma was less active than IFN-beta on all except one of the cell lines. Similarly, IFN-beta was more potent than IFN alpha-2a in inhibiting the growth of the LiBr xenograft in nude mice. Labeled IFN alpha-4a bound with high specificity in all four melanoma lines tested, and competitive binding experiments showed that the order of binding affinity (IFN-beta greater than IFN alpha-2b greater than IFN alpha-4a) correlated with the order of antiproliferative potency. CONCLUSION: The finding that melanoma cell lines differ intrinsically in their sensitivity to IFNs may explain differences in clinical response. Our results suggest that IFN-beta may be the most effective IFN in the treatment of melanoma, although confirmation will require clinical trials involving large numbers of patients.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Constitutive, long-term production of human interferons by hamster cells containing multiple copies of a cloned interferon gene.

Hybrid plasmids containing the mouse dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) and a human interferon (either IFN-alpha 5 or IFN-gamma) coding sequence under the control of viral promoters were transfected into dhfr- Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. dhfr+ colonies produced IFN at 10-1000 units X ml-1 X day-1. Clones selected in methotrexate had a 20-50-fold increase in the IFN-alpha 5 and dhfr DNA and mRNA content and secreted IFN at 20,000-100,000 units X ml-1 X day-1. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of partially purified 35S-HuIFN-gamma from CHO cells showed a multiple of labeled bands with a mobility corresponding to 22,400 to 23,400 daltons which was absent in the supernatants of non-transformed CHO cells. The higher apparent molecular weight of human IFN-gamma from CHO cells as compared to that of human IFN-gamma from E. coli (about 18,800) suggests that the former was glycosylated.

Animals↗