Description and references

Immunomodulatory cytokine produced by T-cells and natural killer (NK) cells as part of the immune response. Stimulates cellular immunity: activates macrophages, promotes antigen presentation, and enhances NK-cell activity. Regulates production of immunoglobulin G2a by B cells. Natural human IFN-γ is a glycoprotein containing 143 amino acids; mol wt 16-25 kDa. Forms non-covalent homodimers under physiological conditions. A type II interferon, IFN-γ is structurally unrelated to interferons-α and -β, q.q.v., is acid-labile and has a different cell surface receptor. Discovery of interferon produced by non-infected human leukocytes stimulated by mitogen: E. F. Wheelock, Science 149, 310 (1965). Production by antigen-stimulated leukocytes: J. A. Green et al., ibid. 164, 1415 (1969). Large-scale production by cell culture: M. P. Langford et al., Infect. Immun. 26, 36 (1979). Purification and characterization: Y. K. Yip et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 79, 1820 (1982). Prepn of recombinant human IFN-γ: P. W. Gray et al., Nature 295, 503 (1982). Amino acid sequence: E. Rinderknecht et al., J. Biol. Chem. 259, 6790 (1984). Review of biological activities: E. M. Bonnem, R. K. Oldham, J. Biol. Response Modif. 6, 275-301 (1987); U. Boehm et al., Annu. Rev. Immunol. 15, 749-795 (1997). Review of clinical experience in antimicrobial defense: H. W. Murray, Intensive Care Med. 22, Suppl. 4, S456-S461 (1996). Review: E. De Maeyer, J. De Maeyer-Guignard, in Cytokines (Academic Press, San Diego, 1998) pp 391-400.

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