The relationship between adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and interferon activity in mouse cells.

Three mouse cell lines (L, 3T3, and SV 3T3) were studied with respect to the elevation of cellular cAMP levels following interferon treatment, and the effect of stimulators of cAMP levels on the antiviral activity of interferon. Interferon treatment resulted in increased cAMP levels in L and 3T3 cells but not in SV 3T3. The antiviral activity of interferon in cells treated with epinephrine and 1-methyl-3-isobutyl xanthine (stimulators of cAMP levels was potentiated in L cells, but not in 3T3 cells and was lost in SV 3T3 cells.