Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) is a multifunctional protein first observed as an antiviral activity in cultures of Sindbis virus-infected human leukocytes stimulated by PHA (1). Produced by Tlymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells, IFN-γ ?is now known to be both an inhibitor of viral replication and a regulator of numerous immunological functions. Human IFN-γ? is reported to be active only on human and non-human primate cells (5). The biochemistry and biological activities of the interferons have been extensively reviewed (2-9).
Human IFN-γ ?is a 143 amino acid residue, 20 or 25 kDa glycoprotein that demonstrates little sequence homology to IFN-α? or -β?(10-13). Naturally occurring IFN-γ ?is found as either of two molecular weight species, differing in degree of glycosylation. Human IFN-γ? apparently exists as a head-to-tail dimer in solution with the C-terminus of one monomer aligned with the N-terminus of the other monomer (14,15) A receptor for IFN-γ has been identified and its gene localized to chromosome 6 (16,17) Apparently the product of a single gene, the receptor is a single chain 90 kDa glycoprotein that shows a high degree of species-specific binding of IFN-γ?(18-21).
Functionally, IFN-γ ?produces a variety of effects. Produced by CD8+, NK, gd, and TH1 T helper cells, IFN-γ ?has documented antiviral, antiprotozoal and immunomodulatory effects on cell proliferation and apoptosis, as well as the stimulation and repression of a variety of genes (9, 22-25) he antiprotozoal activity of IFN-γ ?against Toxoplasma and Chlamydia is believed to result from indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity, an enzyme induced by IFN-γ ?(26).The immunomodulatory effects of IFN-γ? are extensive and diverse. In monocyte/macrophages, the activities of IFN-γ ?include: increasing the expression of class I and II MHC antigens; increasing the production of IL-1, platelet-activating factor, H2O2, and pterin; protection of monocytes against LAK cell-mediated lysis; downregulation of IL-8 mRNA expression that is upregulated by IL-2; and, with lipopolysaccharide, induction of NO production.Finally, IFN-γ?has been shown to upregulate ICAM-1, but not E-Selectin or VCAM-1, expression on endothelial cells.
Wheelock, E.F. (1965) Science 149:310.
Ijzermans, J.M. and R.L. Marquet (1989) Immunobiol. 179:456.
Mogensen, S.C. and J.L. Virelizier (1987) Interferon 8:55.
Grossberg, S.E. et al. (1989) Experientia 45:508.
Adolf, G.R. (1985) Oncology (Suppl. 1) 42:33.
Samuel, C.E. (1991) Virology 183:1.
Pellegrini, S. and C. Schindler (1993) Trends Biochem. Sci. 18:338.
Reiter, Z. (1993) J. Interferon Res. 13:247.
Boehm, U. et al. (1997) Annu. Rev. Immunol. 15:749.
Gray, P.W. et al. (1982) Nature 295:503.
Rinderknecht, E. et al. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259:6790.
DeGrado, W.F. et al. (1982) Nature 300:379.
Zoon, K.C. (1987) Interferon 9:1.
Ealick, S.E. et al. (1991) Science 252:698.
Lunn, C.A. et al. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267:17920.
Rashidbaigi, A. et al. (1986) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83:384.
Pfizenmaier, K. et al. (1988) J. Immunol. 141:856.
Aguet, M. et al. (1988) Cell 55:273.
Fischer, D.G. et al. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263:2632.
Calderon, J. et al. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:4837.
Paliard, X. et al. (1988) J. Immunol. 141:849.
Christmas, S.E. (1992) Chem. Immunol. 53:32.
Locksley, R.M. and P. Scott (1991) Immunoparasitology Today A58-A61.
Billiau, A. and R. Dijkmans (1990) Biochem. Pharmacol. 40:1433.
Sen, G.C. and P. Lengyel (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267:5017.
Gusella, G.L. et al. (1993) J. Immunol. 151:2725.15. Mirkovitch, J. et al. (1992) Mol. Cell. Biol. 12:1.