Kinetics of internalisation and degradation of surface-bound interferon in human lymphoblastoid cells.

The binding of iodinated human interferon-alpha 2 (IFN-alpha 2) was studied on the human T cell line, Molt 4. After its initial binding to cells, the IFN is transferred to a trypsin-resistant compartment before appearing in the medium as TCA-soluble material, while the total cell-associated IFN declines to one-third of its maximum value after 3 h incubation. The Na+/H+ ionophore monensin did not prevent intracellular accumulation of IFN but did completely inhibit its breakdown. We interpret our results as evidence for receptor-mediated internalisation of IFN followed by intracellular breakdown.