Abstract
Summary
The production of interferon by different human cell lines after stimulation by viruses and by poly-I:C was compared. It was found that under optimal conditions, yields of interferon obtained after stimulation with poly-I:C were higher than those obtained after induction by viruses. The production of interferon in poly-I: C-stimulated skin fibroblasts could be increased by pre-treatment with small amounts of poly-I:C (priming) or by inclusion of cycloheximide in the medium. Omission of serum from the medium resulted in a threefold decrease of interferon production. The interferon yield per cell and the specific activity of the interferon prepared in serum-free medium compared favorably with values reported in the literature for human leukocyte interferon.
The present investigation was supported by a Grant from the Belgian A.S.L.K.-Cancer Foundation. Drs. H. Van den Berghe and H. Verresen (Dept. of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Belgium) provided human skin fibroblast lines taken for cytogenetic examination. The authors also thank their colleagues Drs. A. Van Gansewinkel, M. Wagemans and M. Nolens for providing human embryos. The technical help of Miss F. Cornette, Mrs. C. Neucker-mans-Dillen and Mr. R. Conings is appreciated.
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