Human peripheral null lymphocytes. II. Producers of type-1 interferon upon stimulation with tumor cells, Herpes simplex virus and Corynebacterium parvum.
Human blood lymphocytes, exposed for 6 to 24 h in vitro to tumor cells (K 562, IGR3, L1210), Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV) or Corynebacterium parvum (CP), produced high levels of anti-viral activity which was identified as type-1 interferon (IF). In mixed lymphocyte tumor cell cultures (MLTC), the generated type-1 IF was definitely shown to originate from the lymphocytes and not from the tumor cells. Supplementation of leukocyte cultures with 10% fetal calf serum instead 10% human AB serum had little influence on tumor cell-induced IF production, but strongly reduced CP-induced IF production. Lymphocyte fractionation procedures involving iron/plastic treatment, nylon wool columns, Ig-anti-Ig columns and rosette (E, EA) separation led to the identification of null cells as highly efficient producers of type-1 IF. T cells obtained by different ways (E-rosette sedimentation, passage through 1 nylon and 2 Ig-anti-Ig columns, or thoracic duct lymphocytes) were poor IF producers in response to tumor cells, HSV and CP, but secreted anti-viral activity when stimulated with phytohemagglutinin. In MLTC, the level of generated type-1 IF roughly stimulated with phytohemagglutinin. In MLTC, the level of generated type-1 IF  roughly paralleled nautral killer (NK) cell activity. Evidence is presented that type-1 IF can be produced by an Fc receptor-negative null cell subset, whereas NK activity requires Fc receptor-positive cells. It is suggested that production of type-1 IF represents one of the earliest functions in the differentiation process of mononuclear phagocytes and is likely to develop before the appearance of Fc receptors, diffuse esterase staining and latex phagocytosis.
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D002469:Cell Separation; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007700:Kinetics; D007942:Leukemia, Experimental / Q000276:immunology*; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D011425:Propionibacterium acnes / Q000276:immunology; D012397:Rosette Formation; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000276:immunology*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007372:Interferons