Abstract
Summary
Properties of Sepharose-bound mouse interferon are compared to those of “native” interferon. The time dependence of the induction of the antiviral state by both preparations is similar, and the dose-response curves obtained with Sepharose-bound interferon are sigmoidal, as those described for native interferon. Soluble interferon does not diffuse from the interferon-Sepharose particles through the medium to cells not in contact with the beads. No loss of antiviral potency to the medium after repeated cell-to-cell transfers of these particles is observed.
Experiments employing a relatively small ratio between interferon-Sepharose beads and cells indicate that multiple contacts of cells and beads result in increased antiviral activity. Sepharose-bound interferon is more thermostable than native interferon and almost completely resists autoclaving at 110° at pH 3. Likewise, degradation by trypsin is somewhat retarded. Our data indicate that the Sepharose-bound interferon is responsible for the effects observed and that covalent binding of interferon to an insoluble support increases its stability.
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