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IFN-induced modulation of histocompatibility antigens on human cells

Background, mechanisms and perspectives

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Abstract

IFN proteins are a family of lymphokines with anti-viral effects. Several other effects of IFNs have also been described, including enhancement of natural killer (NK) cell activity, enhancement of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activity, and enhancement of the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens. The latter effects have been characterized as immunomodulatory, whereas the well-known inhibition of growth of malignant cells has been termed anti-proliferative.

This review summarizes the current knowledge of the enhancement of MHC products by IFNs. Whereas the basic methodologies for demonstrating the enhancement are simple and reliable, especially when using flow cytometry (FCM), the biological relevance of this reaction is largely unknown. Based on recent findings, however, we have hypothesized that the above-mentioned diverse effects of IFNs are all-in some way or other-related to the classical anti-viral mechanism. This concept proposes that the MHC-enhancing effect of IFNs is a vital part of the immunological defense against virus infections and an integral part of the anti-viral effects of IFN proteins.

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Abbreviations

2-5A:

2′,5′-oligoadenylate

β2-M:

β2-Microglobulin

dsRNA:

double-stranded RNA

FCM:

Flow Cytofluorometry

IFN:

Interferon

IL-1:

Interleukin-1

IL-2:

Interleukin-2

MHC:

Major Histocompatibility Complex

NK:

Natural Killer

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Aarhus, Aarhus Amtssygehus, Denmark

    M. Hokland & P. Basse

  2. The Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Aarhus, Aarhus Amtssygehus, Denmark

    J. Justesen

  3. The Department of Haematology and Medicine, Aarhus Amtssygehus, Denmark

    P. Hokland

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Hokland, M., Basse, P., Justesen, J. et al. IFN-induced modulation of histocompatibility antigens on human cells. Cancer Metast Rev 7, 193–207 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00047751

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