Increased binding of concanavalin A to interferon-treated murine leukemia L 1210 cells.

Abstract

SummaryCultivation of mouse lymphoid leukemia L 1210 cells with mouse interferon preparations resulted in an increased binding of radioactive Concanavalin A (Con A). No increase in Con A binding was observed when L 1210 cells were cultivated with control preparations, inactivated mouse interferon preparations, or heterologous interferon preparations, nor when a subline of interferon resistant L 1210 cells was cultivated with mouse interferon. Electron microscopic examination of control or interferon-treated L 1210 cells using peroxidase-labeled Con A showed that all the label was seen at the cell surface. Interferon-treated L1210 cells exhibiting an increased binding of Con A were far less tumorigenic for DBA/2 mice than untreated L 1210 cells. We conclude that interferon treatment of L 1210 cells is accompanied by modifications of the cell surface which can be detected by an increased binding of Con A to the cell surface.