Anti-inflammatory activity of IFN-beta in carrageenan-induced pleurisy in the mouse

The effect of IFN-beta on the development of the inflammatory reaction was studied in an experimental animal model, carrageenan-induced pleurisy in the mouse. Intrapleural inoculation of IFN-beta at the same time as carrageenan administration inhibited both migration of inflammatory cells and exudate formation in the pleural cavity in a dose-dependent fashion. Similarly, IFN-beta decreased the presence of the arachidonate metabolites PGI2, TXA2 and PGE2 (highly active molecules involved in the regulation of the inflammatory reaction) in inflammatory exudates. A marked inhibition of the inflammatory response to carrageenan was also evident when IFN-beta was administered several hours after the inflammatory challenge. In contrast, administration of IFN-gamma did not modify significantly any of the inflammatory parameters considered.