Spontaneous production of gamma interferon and induced production of beta interferon by human T-lymphoblastoid cell lines

Abstract

Two human T-lymphoblastoid cell lines, CCRF/CEM and Molt 4, produced beta interferon (IFN-β) upon infection with Sendai virus. Molt 4, but not CCRF/CEM, spontaneously produced up to 300 U of IFN-γ per ml, apparently not contaminated with IFN-α or β. Phytohemagglutinin, a T-cell mitogen, did not stimulate IFN production in these lines. A third T-lymphoblastoid line, CCRF/HSB2, produced no IFN either spontaneously or after infection with Sendai virus or treatment with phytohemagglutinin. The Molt 4 cells contained an mRNA which could be translated by oocytes to give IFN-γ. Molt 4 cells therefore provide a convenient source of human IFN-γ and its mRNA for experimental purposes.