IFN-α regulates IL 10 production by CML cells in vitro

Abstract

High levels of spontaneous in vitro IL 10 secretion by a subset of untreated chronic phase CML patients' cells are shown to be decreased in the presence of IFN-α. However, the lower level of spontaneous IL 10 secretion by healthy control cells are was not depressed by IFN-α. In contrast to its effects on IL 10 production, IFN-α increased the low spontaneous secretion of IL 1α by patients' cells, bud did not further increase the higher levels of spontaneous IL 1β secretion by normal cells. It had no effect on secretion of TNF-α by patients or normals. Spontaneous secretion of IL-1α (or IFN-γ) by patients' cells was not observed whether or not IFN-α was present. Therefore, one mechanism of action of IFN-α in vivo may involve decreasing endogenous IL 10 secretion (thereby reducing suppressive effects on T cell reactivity) and increasing IL 1β secretion (thereby enhancing antigen presentation).