MECHANISM(S) OF INTERFERON INHIBITORY ACTIVITY IN BLOOD FROM PATIENTSWITH AIDS AND PATIENTS WITH LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS WITH VASCULITIS

We have earlier reported that patients suffering from acquired immune- deficiency syndrome (AIDS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with va sculitis, Wegner granulomatosis and certain types of late stage cancer have interferon inhibitory activity in their serum. The purpose of th is study was to identify the factor(s) involved in this interferon inh ibitory activity. Twenty patients with advanced AIDS, twenty patients with SLE and vasculitis and twenty normal healthy controls between age s 25 - 40 years were studied. In contrast to normal, healthy controls, significant interferon inhibitory activity was found in AIDS and SLE patients. This appears to be largely due to: (a) increased soluble cir culating interferon alpha/beta receptors, (b) increased prostaglandin E-2 levels which inhibits interferon and (c) a interferon inhibitory p rotein. Further understaing of the nature of interferon inhibitory act ivity in the patient's sera and development of antiinterferon inhibito ry agents would greatly enhance interferons potential as a treatment m odality.