Naturally occurring anti‐interferon‐α2a antibodies in patients with acute viral hepatitis

Abstract

The occurrence of antibodies against recombinant human interferon‐α2a (IFN‐α2a) in patients with acute viral hepatitis (AVH) was examined by ELISA. Naturally occurring IgG anti‐IFN‐α2a were found in 50% of patients with type A, 50% of those with type B and in 8.3% of those with non‐A, non‐B AVH. The corresponding frequencies of IgM antibodies were 80%, 30% and 33.3%, respectively. IgM anti‐IFN‐α2a were found more frequently in patients with AVH type A than in normal control subjects (P < 0.01). Anti‐IFN‐α2a were detectable at the highest frequency 3 weeks after acute onset and then became negative. An absorption experiment revealed that IgM anti‐IFN‐α2a did not cross‐react with recombinant human IFN‐α2b. Immunoblotting analysis confirmed the binding of antibodies to IFN‐α2a. Sera positive for IgG and/or IgM anti‐IFN‐α2a were unable to neutralize IFN‐α2a. The appearance of anti‐IFN‐α2a was not correlated with disease severity. There was no evidence to suggest that anti‐IFN‐α2a impaired the elimination of hepatitis virus. This is the first study to demonstrate the occurrence of anti‐IFN‐α2a in patients with AVH. Detection of anti‐IFN‐α2a may be useful for clarifying any underlying immune events in various diseases. Copyright © 1991, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved