Effects of Interferon‐α/β and Interferon‐γ Preparations on Phagocytosis by Mouse Peritoneal Macrophages

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Abstract
The influence of murine .alpha./.beta.-interferon (MuIFN-.alpha./.beta.) and murine .gamma. interferon (MuIFN-.gamma.) preparations on the attachment and ingestion phase of phagocytosis by mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPM) was studied. A non-opsonized strain of Escherichia coli, IgG-opsonized E. coli and sheep erythrocytes opsonized with IgG (E-IgG) and IgM plus complement factor C3b (E-IgMC) were used as test particles. Pretreatment of MPM with 102-103 U/ml of MuIFN-.alpha./.beta. for 24 h enhanced both attachment and ingestion of bacteria or erythrocytes mediated by the non-specific receptor, the Fc receptor or the C3b receptor. Higher concentrations had no such effects. Treatment of MPM with 101-102 U/ml of MuIFN-.gamma. suppressed attachment and ingestion of non-opsonized and IgG-opsonized E. coli and of E-IgG by 10-40%. MuIFN-.gamma. did not influence attachment and ingestion of E-IgMC. The effects were neutralized by specific anti-IFN antiserum. Evidently, the IFN effect on phagocytic activity is, at least to a large extent, due to modifications of the surface receptors.