Previous studies have indicated that the expression of viral oncoproteins, cell transformation, or phorbol ester treatment of cells can inhibit alpha/beta interferon (IFN-alpha/beta)-induced gene expression. The mechanisms by which these promoters of cell growth exert their inhibitory effects vary, but in most instances they involve a disruption of the IFN-alpha/beta-induced transcription compl...

We previously reported that infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis, leads to secretion of alpha/beta interferon (IFN-alpha/beta). While IFN-alpha/beta ordinarily stimulates formation of signal transducer and stimulator of transcription-1 (STAT-1) homodimers and IFN-stimulated gene factor-3 (ISGF-3), only ISGF-3 is found in infected human monocytes and macro...

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy and safety of triple combination regimens comprising of interferon alpha-2b (IFN-alpha) and ribavirin plus either IFN-gamma or amantadine in genotype 3 patients, responders or relapsers to interferon plus ribavirin combination. METHODS Patients were randomized to receive IFN-alpha 3MU thrice a week, ribavirin 800-1200 mg per day with either IFN-gamma 2 MU t...

A sister (aged 6 years) and brother (aged 8 years) presented four months apart with severe molluscum contagiosum. Both children demonstrated clinical and laboratory evidence of combined immunodeficiency. The extent of skin involvement by molluscum contagiosum precluded conventional treatment as well as intralesional interferon alpha (IFN alpha). Both subjects responded well to subcutaneous IFN ...

About 25-30% of patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) are refractory to corticosteroids, splenectomy and other treatments. It has been suggested that interferon-alpha 2b (IFN-alpha 2b) may be useful in the treatment of chronic refractory ITP patients. We treated 9 chronic refractory ITP patients with IFN-alpha 2b: the results were poor.

Mouse monoclonal antibody directed against human leukocyte alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) was coupled to Sepharose and used as an immunoadsorbent to purify human IFN-alpha. Leukocyte and lymphoblastoid (Namalva) IFNs were retained by the immunoadsorbent with a specificity of 80 to 100% and 40 to 60%, respectively. Human IFN-beta or -gamma and mouse IFN were not retained. The purified IFN-alpha re...

Alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) restricts multiple steps of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) life cycle. A well-described effect of IFN-alpha is in the modulation of viral nucleic acid synthesis. We demonstrate that IFN-alpha influences HIV-1 DNA synthesis principally by reducing the production of late products of reverse transcription. The magnitude of IFN-alpha-induced downregulat...

The susceptibility to alpha/beta interferon (IFN-alpha/beta) or to gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) of various lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) strains was evaluated in C57BL/6 mice and in various cell lines. Anti-IFN-gamma treatment in vivo revealed that the LCMV strains Armstrong, Aggressive, and WE were most susceptible to IFN-gamma whereas Traub, Cl 13-Armstrong, and Docile were resist...

The effect of human recombinant interleukin 4 (IL-4) on antibody production by normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells enriched for B cells was investigated. IL-4 preferentially induced IgE synthesis in vitro. In addition, a low induction of IgG production was observed, whereas IL-4 had no effect on IgA and IgM synthesis. The IL-4-induced IgE production by B cells required T cells and monocyt...

The effect of interferon (IFN) alpha on the establishment and maintenance of neuronal latency and viral reactivation is still not known. Using cell culture methods and sensitive RT-PCR methods, we show that the presence of antiserum to IFN alpha promotes the establishment of HSV-1 tr latent infection. We suggest that IFN alpha is an important tool not only for the control of productive but also...