Effects of interferon gamma on cultured synovial cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Inhibition of cell growth, prostaglandin E2, and collagenase release

Abstract

The effects of recombinant interferon gamma (rlFNy) on the in vitro growth of adherent synovial fibroblast-like cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and also on the release of prostaglandin E2 and collagenase from these cells stimulated with recombinant interleukin-lβ (rIL-lβ) were investigated. The growth of adherent synovial cells from six of nine samples, determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation, was inhibited by rlFNγ in a manner dependent on dose. The release of prostaglandin E 2 and collagenase from adherent synovial cells stimulated with rIL-lβ was also suppressed by rlFNγ in all samples tested, though the basal release of these inflammatory mediators was little influenced. No apparent correlation between inhibition of proliferation by rlFNγ and either inhibition by rlFNγ of rIL-lβ stimulated prostaglandin E 2 release or the endogenous synthesis of prostaglandins was found.