Abstract
In somatic monkey-mouse hybrid cells, the receptors for monkey and for mouse interferon are distinct. When small amounts of interferon of both types are added to the cells, the antiviral effect is cooperative. In addition, both interferons can be potentiated by actinomycin D, 4-6 hr after the administration of interferon. These data, together with other observations previously published, seem to indicate that receptors are solely responsible for the cell species specificity, while there is probably only one mechanism needed for the establishment of the antiviral state in the hybrid cells. In the hybrids here studied, this machinery could be of murine origin.
The biological effect of interferon is restricted to the homologous cell species (1). Interspecies activity was occasionally reported (2), mostly limited to phyloge-netically closely related animals, sometimes to more distant species (3, 4). The aim of the present study is to determine: (a) whether this cell species specifically is related only to interferon receptors located in the cell membrane; or (b) if the whole cellular machinery responsible for the antiviral state is specific of the cell.
Material and Methods. Cell lines. A previously described somatic monkey-mouse hybrid cell system (MKCV III) was used for this study (5). The hybrid cells are sensitive to both types of interferon that protect the parental cells. The genetic sites for interferon production and action are asyntenic (5, 6). From the original hybrid cell population, 2 clones were isolated and selected: clone 4, which contains 19.84 ± 1.2 biarmed monkey chromosomes, and about 68 telocentric mouse chromosomes; and clone 2, which contains 6.36 ± 0.66 monkey chromosomes and 62 mouse chromosomes.
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