Unusual human interferons produced by virus-infected amniotic membranes.
Interferon (IFN) induced in the human amniotic membrane contains at least five different molecular species, as shown by analysis in NaDodSO4/polyacrylamide gels after heating and under reducing conditions. Three of the IFN components reported here--migrating at 26, 43, and 80 kilodaltons--are of unusual antigenic structure because they are neutralized to about the same extent by anti-IFN-alpha and anti-IFN-beta antibodies. The 15- to 17-kilodalton species belongs to the IFN-alpha group, while the 21- to 22-kilodalton species, the most frequently detected major peak, is IFN-beta. In addition to their unusual size and antigenic structure, these IFNs could play a role during embryonic development and in the immune tolerance of the mother with regard to the fetus.
D000650:Amnion / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011247:Pregnancy
D000939:Epitopes; D007372:Interferons