Interferon and Cell Division VI. Inhibitory Effect of Interferon on the Multiplication of Mouse Embryo and Mouse Kidney Cells in Primary Cultures

Mouse interferon preparations inhibited the multiplication of mouse embryo and weanling mouse kidney cells in primary monolayer cell cultures. A comparable inhibitory effect was also observed on the multiplication of cells of 2 established mouse cell lines. Both the anti-cellular and the anti-viral activities were markedly reduced by pretreatment of the interferon preparations with trypsin, sodium periodate or by heating at 60° for 1 hr. Mouse interferon preparations did not inhibit the multiplication of human KB cells. Human interferon preparations inhibited the multiplication of KB cells, but did not affect the multiplication of mouse cells. Mouse interferon preparations also inhibited the multiplication of mouse MSV cells, sensitive to the anti-viral action of interferon, but did not affect the multiplication of cells of a subline, MSV-IF, resistant to the anti-viral activity of interferon.