Inducers of interferon inhibit the mitotic response of liver cells to partial hepatectomy.

Partially hepatectomized mice were injected with inducers of interferon, and the mitotic activity of liver cells was measured. The inducers were polyriboinosinic.polyribocytidylic acid, poly(I.C), Newcastle disease virus, and statolon. Each inhibited the mitosis of liver cells. Poly(I.C) was effective in doses as low as 1 mug per mouse. Polyriboinosinic acid, poly(I), had no inhibitory effect. These results extend the spectrum of action of inducers of interferon to inhibition of mitotic division of an aneoplastic, nonaneuploid mammalian cell.