Macrophage function in the acute phase of lactic dehydrogenase virus-infection of mice: suppression of superoxide anion production in normal mouse peritoneal macrophages by interferon-alpha in vitro.

The effect of interferon (IFN)-alpha on the release of superoxide anions (O2-) by normal mouse macrophages (PEM) was examined. Sera from LDV-infected mice at 1 day, but not at 7 days post-infection, suppressed the O2- release by PEM. When PEM were exposed in vitro for 24 h to IFN-alpha, their capacity to release O2- was significantly suppressed. Progressive suppression of O2- release with increasing IFN-alpha concentration was observed. These results suggest that IFN-alpha in the circulation may be one of several suppressive factors on macrophage function in the early phase of infection and IFN-alpha may play a modulatory role in inflammation and immunity.