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Interferon and beta 2-microglobulin in patients with common variable immunodeficiency or selective IgA deficiency
O Strannegård1, J Björkander, K Hellstrand
1Department of Clinical Virology, University of Göteborg, Sweden.
International Archives of Allergy and Applied Immunology
|January 1, 1987
Summary
Patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) show increased interferon (IFN) production, suggesting a compensatory mechanism for B cell defects. Selective IgA deficiency may be associated with reduced IFN-alpha.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) and selective IgA deficiency are primary immunodeficiencies.
- Interferon (IFN) plays a crucial role in innate immunity and viral defense.
- The function of the IFN system in immunodeficient patients is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate interferon (IFN) production in patients with CVID and selective IgA deficiency.
- To explore the relationship between IFN levels, beta-2-microglobulin (beta 2M), and natural killer (NK) cell activity in these patient groups.
Main Methods:
- Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients and controls were stimulated with Sendai virus or phytohemagglutinin.
- Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) levels in cell supernatants and sera were measured using radioimmunoassays and bioimmunoassays.
- Serum beta-2-microglobulin (beta 2M) concentrations were determined.
Main Results:
- PBMCs from CVID patients produced significantly higher levels of Sendai virus-induced IFN-alpha and mitogen-induced IFN-gamma compared to controls.
- Some patients with selective IgA deficiency exhibited subnormal IFN-alpha production.
- While standard assays did not detect IFN in patient sera, a sensitive bioimmunoassay revealed increased antiviral activity in CVID patients' sera, identified as IFN.
- Serum beta 2M levels were elevated in CVID and moderately in IgA-deficient patients.
Conclusions:
- CVID patients demonstrate hyperproduction of IFN, potentially compensating for defective B cell function.
- Increased IFN activity may be linked to enhanced natural killer (NK) cell activity observed in some CVID cases.
- The findings suggest a complex interplay between the IFN system, B cell function, and NK cell activity in immunodeficiency.