Inhibition of interferon production and antiviral action in mouse cells by 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen activated with near ultraviolet light. Brief report.

The DNA of mammalian cells treated with 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen (Trioxsalen) is crosslinked (preventing transcription) only after photoactivation with near ultraviolet light. Suppression of gene action in cocultivated or fused cultures, including both induction and antiviral action of fibroblast interferon, can consequently be limited to pretreated cells, an advantage over actinomycin treatment.