EFFECT OF THERAPY WITH INTERFERON PREPARATIONS ON THE PRODUCTION ON ENDOGENOUS INTERFERON IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS

Recently much attention has been paid to studies of the effects or int erferons (IFNs) on autoimmune diseases. The authors have investigated the comparative effect of genetically engineered interferon preparatio ns under various therapeutic regimens on patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The obtained data reveal the high activity of cir culating IFN with the acid-labile fraction (ALF) and acute reduction o f alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN) production, as well as gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN). As a result of monotherapy with reaferon and gammaferon, slight changes were found in the concentration of circulating IFN, al pha-IFN and gamma-IFN. The largest decrease of circulating IFN and ALF were noted after therapy with reaferon and cyclophosphane. An increas e in alpha-IFN and gamma-IFN by the cells was found when gammaferon an d cyclophosphane were combined. The present study highlights disturban ces in the functional ability of leukocytes to produce IFN in patients with SLE, and demonstrates prospects for using IFN drugs in autoimmun e diseases.