Cytokine inhibition of transplasma membrane election transport.

Two cytokines, interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha, which can inhibit cell proliferation or induce cell death, have been found to inhibit transplasma membrane electron transport. The concentrations required for inhibition of election transport are similar to concentrations effective in inhibition of cell growth. Since inhibition of election transport has been related to apoptosis and modification of election transport can cause oxygen radical formation, the changes in electron transport induced by the cytokines can contribute to known mechanisms of cytokine cytotoxicity.