ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Interferon alpha (IFN-?) has a complex role in autoimmunity, in that it may both enhance and prevent inflammation. We have previously shown that the presence of IFN-? at sensitization protects against subsequent antigen-triggered arthritis. To understand this tolerogenic mechanism, we performed a descriptive, hypothesis-generating study of cellular and humoral responses associated with IFN-?-mediated protection against arthritis. METHODS: Arthritis was evaluated at day 28 in mice given a subcutaneous injection of methylated bovine serum albumin (mBSA), together with Freund adjuvant and 0 to 5,000 U IFN-? at days 1 and 7, followed by intraarticular injection of mBSA alone at day 21. The effect of IFN-? on mBSA-specific IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgA, and IgE was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cytokines in circulation and in ex vivo cultures on mBSA restimulation was evaluated with ELISA and Luminex, and the identity of cytokine-producing cells by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis. RESULTS: Administration of IFN-? protected mice from arthritis in a dose-dependent manner but had no effect on antigen-specific antibody levels. However, IFN-? did inhibit the initial increase of IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, and TNF, and the recall response induced by intraarticular mBSA challenge of IL-1?, IL-10, IL-12, TNF, IFN-?, and IL-17 in serum. IFN-? decreased both macrophage and CD4+ T cell-derived IFN-? production, whereas IL-17 was decreased only in CD4+ T cells. Ex vivo, in mBSA-restimulated spleen and lymph node cell cultures, the inhibitory effect of in vivo administration of IFN-? on proinflammatory cytokine production was clearly apparent, but had a time limit. An earlier macrophage-derived, and stronger activation of the antiinflammatory cytokine transforming growth factor beta (TGF-?) was observed in IFN-?-treated animals, combined with an increase in CD4+ T cells producing TGF-? when arthritis was triggered by mBSA (day 21). Presence of IFN-? at immunizations also prevented the reduction in TGF-? production, which was induced by the intraarticular mBSA injection triggering arthritis in control animals. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of IFN-? has a profound effect on the cellular response to mBSA plus adjuvant, but does not affect antigen-specific Ig production. By including IFN-? at immunizations, spleen and lymph node cells inhibit their repertoire of antigen-induced proinflammatory cytokines while enhancing antiinflammatory TGF-? production, first in macrophages, and later also in CD4+ T cells. On intraarticular antigen challenge, this antiinflammatory state is reenforced, manifested as inhibition of proinflammatory recall responses and preservation of TGF-? levels. This may explain why IFN-? protects against antigen-induced arthritis.