INCREASED EXPRESSION OF HUMAN MONOCYTE HLA-DR ANTIGENS AND FC-GAMMA RECEPTORS IN RESPONSE TO HUMAN INTERFERON INVIVO

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 53  (3) , 739-743
Abstract
The expression of class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) encoded antigens (HLA-DR) and Fc.gamma. receptors by peripheral blood monocytes from untreated patients with small cell carcinoma of the bronchus was compared with that of normal donors. Fc.gamma. receptor expression was found to be elevated in these patients in comparison with normal. HLA-DR antigen expression by patients'' monocytes was somewhat depressed in comparison with normal. Continuous i.v. infusion of a total of 400 megaunits/m2 of human lymphoblastoid interferon-.alpha. (IFN-.alpha.) over a 5 day period markedly increased with both monocyte HLA-DR antigen expression and Fc.gamma. receptor expression in comparison with that of untreated patients and normal donors. The initial increases declined somewhat but were still evident after 3 wk of intermittent i.m. IFN-.alpha. therapy.