Biomaterial Database

Effect of intravenous recombinant alpha-2 interferon on monocyte Fc-dependent phagocytosis in patients with malignant melanoma. 1984

D L Coleman, and M S Ernstoff, and J M Kirkwood, and J L Ryan

Recombinant alpha interferons (IFN-alpha) have diverse effects on the immune response. Alpha IFNs have been shown to increase the number of monocyte Fc receptors and Fc dependent phagocytosis in vitro. Therefore, we prospectively evaluated Fc-dependent phagocytic activity in a group of 14 patients with Stage III melanoma receiving from 10 to 100 X 10(6) u of recombinant DNA-produced alpha-2 interferon (IFN-alpha 2) five days a week for four weeks. Monocyte Fc-dependent phagocytosis (FcDP) was assayed by measuring the ingestion of 51Cr-labeled, IgG-coated sheep erythrocytes before, and on Days 2, 5, and 19 of IFN therapy. Each patient was simultaneously compared with the same unmatched normal controls during the assay period. Monocyte FcDP was unchanged in 8/14 patients on each of the three sampling days. Increases in FcDP occurred in 4/14 patients on Day 2 and only 1/14 on Day 19. Recombinant DNA-produced IFN-alpha 2 did not persistently augment monocyte FcDP irrespective of the dose administered. Moreover, there may be untoward effects on monocyte FcDP in vivo from intravenous administration of high dose IFN-alpha 2 since a distinct, but statistically insignificant (p = 0.06) trend of inhibition of FcDP by Day 19 of therapy was observed. Monocyte FcDP activity of normal controls fluctuated from day to day. The intrinsic variability in monocyte FcDP as assessed by this technique may conceal an effect(s) of IFN preparations in vivo. Additional studies are needed to further define the effects of purified IFN preparations on monocyte and tissue-derived macrophage effector functions.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007370	Interferon Type I	Interferon secreted by leukocytes, fibroblasts, or lymphoblasts in response to viruses or interferon inducers other than mitogens, antigens, or allo-antigens. They include alpha- and beta-interferons (INTERFERON-ALPHA and INTERFERON-BETA).	Interferons Type I,Type I Interferon,Type I Interferons,Interferon, Type I,Interferons, Type I
D008545	Melanoma	A malignant neoplasm derived from cells that are capable of forming melanin, which may occur in the skin of any part of the body, in the eye, or, rarely, in the mucous membranes of the genitalia, anus, oral cavity, or other sites. It occurs mostly in adults and may originate de novo or from a pigmented nevus or malignant lentigo. Melanomas frequently metastasize widely, and the regional lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and brain are likely to be involved. The incidence of malignant skin melanomas is rising rapidly in all parts of the world. (Stedman, 25th ed; from Rook et al., Textbook of Dermatology, 4th ed, p2445)	Malignant Melanoma,Malignant Melanomas,Melanoma, Malignant,Melanomas,Melanomas, Malignant
D009000	Monocytes	Large, phagocytic mononuclear leukocytes produced in the vertebrate BONE MARROW and released into the BLOOD; contain a large, oval or somewhat indented nucleus surrounded by voluminous cytoplasm and numerous organelles.	Monocyte
D010587	Phagocytosis	The engulfing and degradation of microorganisms; other cells that are dead, dying, or pathogenic; and foreign particles by phagocytic cells (PHAGOCYTES).	Phagocytoses
D011961	Receptors, Fc	Molecules found on the surface of some, but not all, B-lymphocytes, T-lymphocytes, and macrophages, which recognize and combine with the Fc (crystallizable) portion of immunoglobulin molecules.	Fc Receptors,Fc Receptor,Receptor, Fc
D003001	Cloning, Molecular	The insertion of recombinant DNA molecules from prokaryotic and/or eukaryotic sources into a replicating vehicle, such as a plasmid or virus vector, and the introduction of the resultant hybrid molecules into recipient cells without altering the viability of those cells.	Molecular Cloning
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man