SPONTANEOUS INTERFERON-PRODUCTION AND EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS ANTIGEN EXPRESSION IN 2 HUMAN LYMPHOID-CELL LINES AND THEIR SOMATIC-CELL HYBRIDS

Abstract

Two human lymphoid cell lines, Raji and Namalwa, and 7 somatic cell hybrids between these 2 cells were tested for spontaneous interferon production. Namalwa and 3 of the hybrids produce interferon while the 4 other hybrids, like Raji, do not. Through the Namalwa line is relatively resistant to superinfection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), all hybrids are as susceptible to EBV as the Raji parent. High extracellular concentrations of interferon likewise had little effect on EBV superinfection of Raji or the hybrid cells. Raji may produce some factor that antagonizes the action of interferon to allow EBV [gene] expression.