Regulation of cytokine mRNAs by interferon and interferon inducers.

Cytokine mRNA expression was studied in human long-term cell cultures of different origin: J-96 and J-41 (monocytic leukemia), SW-13 (paradrenal adenocarcinoma), and MT-4 (T-cell leukemia), in response to IFN-alpha and IFN inducers (kagocel and cycloferon). Cytokine mRNA level in the cell cultures was measured by the RT-PCR method using 11 primer pairs for the following cytokines: IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-18 and TNF-alpha. It was shown that IFN-alpha and IFN inducers possess an ability to regulate different cytokine mRNAs. Treatment of the cells with IFN-alpha resulted in expression of mRNAs for IL-2, IL-4, and IL-8. Kagocel induced production of IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma, and IL-2 mRNAs, and cycloferon--IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-8 mRNAs. It is suggested that antiviral effects of these inducers, in general, can be attributed to imitation of cytokine responses observed in viral infection and, as a result, can lead to starting-up of cellular defense antiviral mechanisms even before action of viruses. Conclusion is made that IFN and IFN inducers may act as regulators of cytokine activity.