Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) induces programmed cell death in differentiated human leukemic B cell lines.

Interferons (IFNs) are cytokines that exert an antiviral effect on target cells and possess immunomodulatory and antitumor properties. In this study we have investigated the effects of human recombinant IFN-gamma on human leukemic B cell lines at different stages of maturation. Our data show that in Burkitt's lymphoma RAMOS-1 B cells IFN-gamma induces a reduction of cell growth and a clonal selection via programmed cell death; in contrast, IFN-gamma treatment of KM-3 pre-B cells does not induce biochemical and morphological changes as shown by electron microscope analysis and DNA gel electrophoresis.