Multiple defects of immune cell function in mice with disrupted interferon-γ genes

DK Dalton, S Pitts-Meek, S Keshav, IS Figari, A Bradley… - Science, 1993 - science.org
DK Dalton, S Pitts-Meek, S Keshav, IS Figari, A Bradley, TA Stewart
Science, 1993science.org
Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) is a pleiotrophic cytokine with immunomodulatory effects on a variety of
immune cells. Mice with a targeted disruption of the IFN-γ gene were generated. These mice
developed normally and were healthy in the absence of pathogens. However, mice deficient
in IFN-γ had impaired production of macrophage antimicrobial products and reduced
expression of macrophage major histocompatibility complex class II antigens. IFN-γ-deficient
mice were killed by a sublethal dose of the intracellular pathogen Mycobacterium bovis …
Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) is a pleiotrophic cytokine with immunomodulatory effects on a variety of immune cells. Mice with a targeted disruption of the IFN-γ gene were generated. These mice developed normally and were healthy in the absence of pathogens. However, mice deficient in IFN-γ had impaired production of macrophage antimicrobial products and reduced expression of macrophage major histocompatibility complex class II antigens. IFN-γ-deficient mice were killed by a sublethal dose of the intracellular pathogen Mycobacterium bovis. Splenocytes exhibited uncontrolled proliferation in response to mitogen and alloantigen. After a mixed lymphocyte reaction, T cell cytolytic activity was enhanced against allogeneic target cells. Resting splenic natural killer cell activity was reduced in IFN-γ-deficient mice. Thus, IFN-γ is essential for the function of several cell types of the murine immune system.
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