INTERFERON-GAMMA (IFN-GAMMA) INDUCES PROGRAMMED CELL-DEATH IN DIFFERENTIATED HUMAN LEUKEMIC B-CELL LINES

Interferons (IFNs) are cytokines that exert an antiviral effect on tar get cells and possess immunomodulatory and antitumor properties. In th is study we have investigated the effects of human recombinant IFN-gam ma on human leukemic B cell lines at different stages of maturation. O ur data show that in Burkitt's lymphoma RAMOS-1 B cells IFN-gamma indu ces a reduction of cell growth and a clonal selection via programmed c ell death; in contrast, IFN-gamma treatment of KM-3 pre-B cells does n ot induce biochemical and morphological changes as shown by electron m icroscope analysis and DNA gel electrophoresis. (c) 1994 Academic Pres s, Inc.