Multiple Molecular Species of Interferons of Mouse and of Rabbit Origin

Abstract

Summary Interferons found present in mouse serum following intravenous injection of NDV virus were of 2 different kinds. Component A had a molecular weight of 38,000 and an isoelectric point of 7.7 while component B had a molecular weight of 23,500 and an isoelectric point of 7.4. Interferons induced in mouse spleen and L (MCN) cell cultures by the same virus had molecular weighty of 26,000 and 25,000, respectively, and an isoelectric point of 7.0. Rabbit spleen cell culture interferon had a molecular weight of 33,000 and an isoelectric point of 7.4. A second molecular moiety which appears in chick embryo interferon induced by WS influenza virus was found to have a molecular weight of approximately 50,000 in contrast to 38,000 for the more predominant component. The mouse serum interferons appeared less heat stable than chick interferon and component A more sensitive to high pH. The characteristics of these interferons were compared with the properties of the spectrum of interferons produced in various animal species by various microbial agents.