The role of liver in the catabolism of human alpha- and beta-interferon.

The susceptibility of human leukocyte (alpha), fibroblast (beta) and recombinant alpha-2-interferons to clearance by the isolated and perfused rabbit liver has been evaluated. Human leukocyte and recombinant alpha-2-interferons were stable and their initial levels were maintained in the perfusate even if they had been treated with neuraminidase, thus suggesting that alpha-interferons have no exposed sugars recognizable by hepatic binding proteins. On the other hand, native, and particularly desialylated human beta-interferon, underwent marked hepatic uptake confirming the importance of the liver as a catabolic site for glycosylated interferons.