Differential effects of beta and gamma interferons on expression of major histocompatibility complex antigens and intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 in cultured fetal human astrocytes

Abstract

We investigated the modulatory effects of human interferon beta (IFN-beta) and gamma (IFN-gamma) on expression of class I and II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in fetal human astrocytes in culture using flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. Under the baseline condition, class I MHC antigen and ICAM-1 were expressed in a moderate number (23 to 76%) of astrocytes, whereas class II MHC antigen was expressed in only a small number (0.3 to 8%) of astrocytes. Following a 72-hour treatment with IFN-gamma (10 to 100 U/ml), expression of all three antigens increased greatly. Expression of class I MHC antigen was also elevated by exposure to IFN-beta (10 and 100 IU/ml). However, IFN-beta did not significantly induce expression of class II MHC antigen or ICAM-1. Furthermore, IFN-beta significantly reduced IFN-gamma-induced expression of class II MHC antigen but not of class I MHC antigen or of ICAM-1. The differential effects of IFN-beta and IFN-gamma on expression of class I and II MHC antigens and ICAM-1 in fetal human astrocytes suggest that interferons serve as modulators of astrocyte function at sites of inflammation in the human CNS.