Effect of human and recombinant IFN-α and IFN-β on the sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) frequency in amniotic fluid cells in vitro

Abstract

Sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) and rates of proliferation in human amniotic fluid cells from healthy donors exposed to human IFN-α and IFN-β and recombinant IFN-α and -β were investigated. Amniotic fluid cells were obtained from pregnant women undergoing genetic amniocentesis. For 46 h, cells were treated with IFNs at concentrations of 10 3–10 5 U/l. A dose-depending decrease of SCE rate with IFN-α and IFN-β was observed. Our studies in amniotic fluid cells show that the mean SCE frequencies are reduced after incubation with IFN-α as well as with IFN-α. In contrast to IFN-γ, the type I IFNs IFN-α and IFN-β cause a genetic effect on DNA repair or a protection from DNA damage. Previously we had shown that a significant dose-depending increase of SCE rates was found in amniotic fluid cultures after addition of IFN-γ. Therefore, IFN-α and IFN-β (both human IFNs) and also recombinant IFN-α and IFN-β, also in high doses, are neither genotoxic/clastogenic nor embryotoxic. Amniotic cells are vulnerable human cells, which may be well suited for examining the effects of agents like interferon.