Production of human immune interferon (Hu IFN-gamma) studied at the single cell level. Origin, evidence for spontaneous secretion and effect of cyclosporin A

A reverse hemolytic plaque assay has been developed which specifically detects secretion of human immune interferon (Hu IFN-gamma) at the single cell level. Unstimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes from healthy adult volunteers spontaneously secreted IFN-gamma. Stimulation of these cells with concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, or the UCHT1 monoclonal anti-human T cell antibody significantly increased the number of IFN-gamma-secreting cells. The cell producing IFN-gamma, both spontaneously and after UCHT1 antibody stimulation, is an OKT3+,4+,8-,HLA-DR-T lymphocyte as determined at the single cell level. Finally, cyclosporin A, a potent and selective immunosuppressive drug for T cells, strongly inhibited the secretion of IFN-gamma as assayed at the cell level. This IFN-gamma reverse hemolytic plaque assay has great potential for the further study of IFN-gamma both in physiological and pathological conditions.