Effect of interferon beta on human myelin basic protein-specific T-cell lines: Comparison of IFN beta-1a and IFN beta-1b

The effect of interferon (IFN)beta-1a and IFN beta-1b on human myelin basic protein-reactive T-cell lines was investigated. Both drugs inhibited proli feration and production of lymphotoxin (LT), whereas the production of inte rleukin-4 was not altered and interleukin-10 was induced. Comparing equal n umbers of units IFN beta-1a and -1b showed almost identical results. These in vitro data indicate that the immunomodulatory capacity of both interfero ns with respect to T cells paralleled their antiviral effect.