Interferon Synthesis in Mouse Peritoneal Cells Damaged by X-Irradiation

Abstract

NDV-induced interferon of peritoneal cells of irradiated (X-rays, 400 R) and control mice was investigated in vitro. Irradiation or treatment with hydroxyurea (10^–5 m) and mitomycin C (25 µg/ml) did not change interferon synthesis in spite of an 80–90% inhibition of ³H-thymidine incorporation. Increased doses of mitomycin C and treatment with actinomycin D and puromycin blocked interferon production. De novo interferon synthesis occurred in cells with damaged replicative activity of DNA caused by irradiation or by treatment with antimetabolites.