Immunoregulation During Acute Infection with Epstein-Barr Virus: Dynamics of Interferon and 2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase Activity

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Abstract
Immunoregulation during acute infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is incompletely understood, although species of interferon (IFN) may be important immunoregulatory molecules. IFN, 2′,5′-oligoadenylate (2′,5′-A) synthetase (an IFN-induced enzyme), T and natural killer cell subsets, and natural and anomalous killer cell functions were studied systematically during acute infectious mononucleosis. Serum IFN was not detected (P < .01 by Student's t test). A generalized IFN effect was suggested by elevated 2′,5′-Asynthetase activity in purified neutrophil preparations. Sequential studies revealed a correlation between peak elevations of 2′,5′-A synthetase activity and increased percentages of cytotoxic/suppressor cells as well as anomalous killer cell activity against an EBV-infected B cell line. Thus IFN may act as an immunoregulatory lymphokine early in the course of acute EBV infection.

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