IFN-gamma expression in macrophages and its possible biological significance

Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 1998 Jun;9(2):117-23. doi: 10.1016/s1359-6101(98)00007-0.

Abstract

IFN-gamma is a pleiotropic cytokine endowed with potent immunomodulatory effects whose expression was long considered to be restricted to T and NK cells. Only recently, it became evident that IFN-gamma production can also occur in other cell types, including monocyte/macrophages. However, the biological relevance of macrophage IFN-gamma is still unclear. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the collected evidence demonstrating IFN-gamma expression in macrophages and to discuss the possible biological significance of this cytokine production in the early phase of host response to infectious agents.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cytokines / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Infections / immunology
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Interferon-gamma / genetics
  • Interferon-gamma / physiology*
  • Macrophages / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Models, Biological

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Interferon-gamma