Interferon alpha/beta synthesis during acute graft-versus-host disease

Journal Article · Sun Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Transplantation; (United States)

OSTI ID:6585174

Reyes, V E; Klimpel, G R

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major obstacle to successful bone marrow transplantation. The role of interferon (IFN) in GVHD is currently unclear. We have previously shown that interferon (IFN) is produced in vitro by alloantigen-stimulated murine bone marrow cells. This study was initiated to examine whether IFN production occurs in vivo during GVHD. Lethally irradiated mice were given bone marrow (10(7)) and/or spleen cells (2 X 10(7)) from either allogeneic or syngeneic mice. Mice given allogeneic spleen cells or bone marrow and spleen cells showed signs of GVHD within 10 days and usually died within 20 days of transplantation. Mice undergoing GVHD were found to have significant levels of IFN activity in their sera. Serum IFN was detected early (day 3) after transplantation with optimal IFN activity (greater than or equal to 80 units) occurring at 5-6 days. The IFN activity present in the sera obtained from mice with GVHD was identified as IFN alpha/beta by using specific antisera against IFN alpha/beta and IFN gamma. In contrast, irradiated mice given T-cell-depleted allogeneic bone marrow and spleen cells failed to develop GVHD and had no detectable serum IFN activity. Irradiated mice given syngeneic bone marrow and spleen cells or only allogeneic bone marrow cells did not develop GVHD and did not produce detectable IFN activity in their sera. These results show that serum IFN activity correlates well with GVHD and opens for speculation the possibility that IFN may be involved in the pathogenesis associated with GVHD.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston
• OSTI ID: 6585174
• Journal Information: Transplantation; (United States), Journal Name: Transplantation; (United States) Vol. 3; ISSN TRPLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560152* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Animals
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOSYNTHESIS
BLOOD
BLOOD CELLS
BODY FLUIDS
BONE MARROW CELLS
CHIMERAS
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
GRAFT-HOST REACTION
GROWTH FACTORS
IMMUNOSUPPRESSION
INTERFERON
IRRADIATION
LETHAL IRRADIATION
LEUKOCYTES
LYMPHOCYTES
LYMPHOKINES
MAMMALS
MATERIALS
MICE
MITOGENS
MOSAICISM
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PROTEINS
RADIATION CHIMERAS
RODENTS
SOMATIC CELLS
SPLEEN CELLS
SYNTHESIS
TRANSPLANTS
VERTEBRATES