The human lymphoma cell line NC-37: An alternative source of human lymphoblastoid interferon

Abstract

NC-37 lymphoma cells treated with n-butyrate or 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) and induced with Sendai virus produced crude interferon with titers of up to 2 × 10 5 units/ml (100 units/10 3 cells) and with specific activities of up to 10 6 units/mg protein. More than 90% of the interferon activity was neutralized by antiserum against human interferon type α (HuIFN-α). Treatment of the cells with BrdUrd, but not with butyrate, resulted in the production of moderate amounts of interferon without virus induction.