Recombinant Interferon Gamma: Influence on the Cytotoxic Activity of NK Cells in Patients with Chronic Epstein-Barr Virus Infection

NK cells play an important role in combating viral infections. In this study, we examined the effect of therapy with recombinant interferon gamma (Ingaron) on cytotoxic activity of NK cells. Sixty patients with chronic Epstein-Barr virus infection (CEBVI) were examined. All patients were treated with Ingaron at a dose of 500,000 IU every other day IM. Initially, they received 10 injections of Ingaron followed by a 10-day break to assess the dynamics of clinical and laboratory parameters. Then, the treatment was continued with five injections of Ingaron. In total, each patient received 15 injections or a total dose of 7,500,000 IU. The administration of recombinant interferon gamma at a total dose of 5,000,000 IU stimulated spontaneous and induced degranulation of NK cells in patients with CEBVI. After a full course of 7,500,000 IU of recombinant interferon gamma, CD107a expression on NK cells decreased but remained higher than before the onset of therapy and exceeded reference values. Thus, the maximum activity of NK cells in the peripheral blood of patients with CEBVI was reached 10 days after the administration of Ingaron at a total dose of 5,000,000 IU

Perspective Chapter: The Role of Interferon Gamma in Clinical Medicine

Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) is one of the key factors of both innate and adaptive immune response that promotes differentiation of naive CD4+ cells into effector Th1 T cells producing the main mediators of cellular immunity against viral and intracellular bacterial infections, and specific cytotoxic immunity through the interaction of T cells with antigen-presenting cells and macrophage activation. The clinical importance of IFN-γ includes its medical use to treat and prevent various viral and bacterial infections. IFN-γ has a direct antiviral effect on infected cells, activates local infiltrating dendritic cells, macrophages and NK cells, modulates the differentiation and maturation of T and B cells, and enhances inflammation and antiviral functions. Immunoregulatory effect of IFN-γ plays one of the essential roles in the regulation of adaptive immune response in patients with tuberculosis infection and cancer. Producing IFN-γ by T cells increases the efficiency of infiltrated phagocytic cells, by stimulating NO and maintaining local host defense during tuberculosis infection. The direct antitumor effect of IFN-γ revealed in several experimental models has numerous mechanisms for the effect of development. IFN-γ has crucial potential for enhancing any antiviral, antimycobacterial, and specific antitumor therapies