Contrasting effects of alpha, beta, and gamma interferons on nonspecific suppressor function in multiple sclerosis

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Abstract
Interferons are biological molecules with antiviral, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory actions. Interferon alpha (IFN‐α) and ‐β are potentially useful in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). IFN‐γ, in contrast, increases the frequency of exacerbations of MS. In this study, we compared the effect of recombinant human IFN‐α, ‐β, and ‐γ on suppressor function in patients with MS. Nonspecific suppressor cell function, measured in a concanavalin A suppressor assay, was significantly decreased in 16 patients with progressive MS (mean percent suppression ± SEM, 14.4 ± 5.5 in patients with MS, 33.5 ± 4.8 in 16 normal subjects; p < 0.001). Recombinant human IFN‐β augmented suppressor function in MS to 45.4 ± 5.1% (p < 0.001) and in control subjects to 56.8 ± 3.8% (p < 0.001). Similarly, recombinant human IFN‐α improved suppression in MS to 43.0 ± 5.6% (p < 0.001) and in control subjects to 51.1 ± 5.9% (p < 0.001). In contrast, recombinant human IFN‐γ had no effect on suppressor function in patients with MS and in control subjects. This study shows that IFN‐α and ‐β augment deficient suppressor function in MS, whereas IFN‐γ has no effect on suppressor function in the progressive phase of the disease.

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