Restoration of phagocyte function by interferon-γ in X-linked chronic granulomatous disease occurs at the level of a progenitor cell

R. A.B. Ezekowitz, C. A. Sieff, M. C. Dinauer, D. G. Nathan, S. H. Orkin, P. E. Newburger

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

40 Scopus citations

Abstract

Phagocytes from X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (X-CGD) patients are deficient in their ability to generate superoxide because of a defective gene that encodes a heavy chain of cytochrome b, a critical component in the superoxide-generating pathway. Previously we have shown that a single in vivo treatment of selected X-CGD patients with interferon-γ (INF-γ) resulted 14 days later in near-normal levels of superoxide generation by phagocytes. The effect persisted for 28 days. This prolonged effect suggested that the lymphokine affected progenitor cells. In this study, we examined progenitor-derived colonies from the peripheral blood from this unusual X-CGD kindred. Progenitor-derived colonies examined before treatment were unable to generate superoxide as visualized by lack of nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction compared with normal controls. By contrast, colonies derived 7 days after a single INF-γ injection were able to generate superoxide as shown by increased NBT reduction. Colonies harvested 21 days after treatment contained only rare cells capable of NBT reduction. Our results indicate that INF-γ can reprogram the myeloid progenitor cells to express a partially corrected phenotype. This corrected phenotype is later expressed in daughter cells.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2443-2448
Number of pages6
JournalBlood
Volume76
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - 1990

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Restoration of phagocyte function by interferon-γ in X-linked chronic granulomatous disease occurs at the level of a progenitor cell'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this