Regulation of Interleukin 1 Production by Alpha and Beta Interferons: Evidence for Both Direct and Indirect Enhancement

Abstract

In this paper, the influence of interferons α + β (IFN α + β) on the levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1) produced by murine peritoneal exudate macrophages following subsequent stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1), or both was investigated. The results indicate that preincubation with IFN α + β enhances IL-1 production in response to CSF-1 as well as to LPS. Moreover, prior exposure to IFN α + β enhanced the apparently synergistic production of IL-1 in response to the two stimuli combined. Lastly, IFN α + β in dosages exceeding 1,000 u/ml appeared to directly stimulate IL-1 production by exudate macrophages. Direct and augmented stimulation of IL-1 production by IFN β + β could be neutralized by addition of highly specific anti-IFN α + β antiserum. The significance of these findings in terms of the reported inflammatory and pyrogenic effects of IFN is discussed.