PLATELET-ACTIVATING-FACTOR AND THE PRODUCTION OF HUMAN INTERFERON-GAMMA

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) was tested for its ability to alter y ields of human interferon (IFN) produced from peripheral blood mononuc lear cells (PBMC). Using different concentrations of phytohemagglutini n (PHA) we could not demonstrate a consistent effect of PAF at any con centration tested on the yield of IFN-gamma. Similarly, although PAF w as associated with a slight enhancement of IFN-gamma yields when PBMC were induced by interleukin-2 (IL-2), the results were not statistical ly significant. No effect was observed on the accumulation of human IF N gamma mRNA induced by PHA. Furthermore, PAF did not enhance yields o f IFN-gamma when the cells were induced by poly I:poly C. We conclude that although PAF may have a role in sepsis, it is not likely that thi s is in any way related to its ability to significantly alter the yiel d of interferons.