EFFECT OF INTERFERON PREPARATIONS ON THE UPTAKE OF NON‐OPSONIZED ESCHERICHIA COLI BY MOUSE PERITONEAL MACROPHAGES

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Abstract
Uptake of non-opsonized E. coli by mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPM) is influenced by pre-treatment of MPM with homologous interferon preparations. Incubation of MPM with 102-103 U of interferon/ml for 18 h resulted in a 30-70% increase in the phagocytosis rate as well as maximal phagocytic capacity. This effect was time dependent. At least 7 h of interferon pre-treatment and a phagocytosis period of 90 min were necessary for a statistically significant increase of the phagocytosis. Treatment of MPM with high concentrations of interferon (i.e. > 104 U/ml) had a depressive effect on the phagocytosis. Both the enhancing and the depressive effects were characterized by the standard physico-chemical properties of interferons. Both effects were species-specific. The phagocytosis enhancing effect was neutralized by anti-interferon serum.