Kinetics of human immune interferon production and blastogenesis.

We studied some of the requirements for production of immune interferon (IEN-γ) by human peripheral leucocytes following stimulation with concanavalin A (Con A). Synthesis of IFN-γ commenced 2 hr after the cells were exposed to the lectin and continued for about 20 hr thereafter. IFN-γ production during the latter period was independent of free Con A in the culture medium hut it was sustained by continued Con A binding and required active de novo protein synthesis. Egg lecithin, which inhibits the blastogenic response. did not affect IFN-γ production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]