Immune interferon production by lymphoid cells: role in the inhibition of herpesviruses.

Bovine peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) obtained from infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus- and tuberculin-immunized animals produced large quantities of interferon within 24 h of in vitro stimulation by IBR and purified protein derivative antigens. Separation of PBL into populations enriched in T lymphocytes or B lymphocyte provided the antigen-specific step for immune interferon production. A 2- to 10-fold increase in interferon occurred when lymphocytes were combined with autologous macrophages. Although macrophages, even if treated with antilymphocyte serum to remove any contaminating lymphocytes, could produce some interferon, the augmented interferon produced by macrophage-lypmhocyte cultures was not dmpocytes. Direct physical contact between macrophages and lymphocytes was required for the production of enhanced levels of interferon. Antigen-antibody complexes of irradiated virus-infected cells in the presence of antibody were as efficient or better at stimulating interferon than was free antigen. Because IBR virus was inhibited by interferon levels stimulated in cultures by IBR antigen, it was suggested that the local production of interferon by immune cells might play a similar role in curtailing virus dissemination in vivo, thus leading to recovery from disease.