Induction of interferon production by conformation-modified proteins of plasma gamma-globulin fraction.

Plasma gamma-globulin fraction proteins, copper and zinc cations, and metal-modified gamma-globulins induce the production of IFN by human leukocytes. Binding of zinc cations attenuates the realization of the IFN-inducing effects of human serum gamma-globulin, while binding of copper cations potentiated this effect. Activity of IFN and the dynamics of its production correspond to those in response to phytohemagglutinin stimulation. The pool of induced IFN contains acid-labile (up to 60%) and acid-stable (up to 40%) constituents. Anti-IFN-alpha antibodies do not modify activity of produced IFN. The results indicate the possibility of gamma-globulin conformation allowing stimulation or attenuation of the protein capacity to induce the production of IFN pool with predominant content of IFN-gamma.