Fever Induced by Escherichia coli or Intrahypothalamic Prostaglandin E 2 Enhances Interferon-γ Synthesis

Abstract

We previously showed that hyperthermia induced in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatto) by forced passive heating "primes" the peripheral lymphocyte population for increased synthesis of interferon-γ (IFN-γ). It was not clear whether these data could be extrapolated to the physiological response in naturally occurring fever. Therefore, in the current experiments, the temperature of rhesus monkeys was raised either by systemic injection of killed Escherichia coli or by intrahypothalamic administration of prostaglandin E₂. Mononuclear cells collected subsequently from such monkeys produced more IFN-γ in response to stimulation with mitogens than cells from control monkeys. Direct administration of IFN-α, -β, or -γ to the hypothalamus did not affect the body temperature of rhesus monkeys.