INTERACTION BETWEEN INTERFERON AND NATURAL KILLER CELLS IN HUMANS AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF IMMUNOMODULATING AGENTS

Abstract

This chapter focuses on interaction between interferon and natural killer (NK) cells in humans after administration of immunomodulating agents. In a styudy described in the chapter, NK activity was readily enhanced, following an increase in the interferon (IFN) titers by Lentinan administration, whereas no significant activation of NK cells was observed even when IFN titers were elevated by Staphage Lysate (SPL) administration. International units of IFN in the body fluid were determined by measuring its inhibitory activity against cytopathic effects of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). By sequential measurements of NK activity and IFN titers after Lentinan administration, the peaks of IFN appeared at 12–24 h and NK activity gradually increased in inverse proportion to a decrease in IFN titers, peaking at 24–48 h. To interpret dissociation between the peaks of IFN titers and NK activity, it would be one possible explanation that IFN-activated NK cells gathered and infiltrated into the malignant tissues just after the IFN production by Lentinan administration, resulting in no detection of effective NK cells in the peripheral blood. It seems most likely that this IFN or IFN-like substance produced by SPL affects virus replication but does not activate NK cells.