Strain variation in interferon gamma production of BCG-sensitized mice challenged with PPD. I. CBA/Ca mice are low producers in vivo, but high producers in vitro.

Three different mouse strains--BALB/c, C57BL/6J, and CBA/Ca--were compared for their production of viral interferon upon Newcastle disease virus (NDV) inoculation and of interferon gamma upon antigenic stimulation with PPD following BCG sensitization. BALB/c mice were found to be low producers for NDV-induced IFN-alpha, beta as well as for in vivo (serum) and in vitro (spleen cell culture) induced IFN-gamma. C57BL/6 mice were high producers under the three conditions tested and CBA/Ca mice, finally, were high IFN-alpha, beta and in vitro IFN-gamma producers, but low in vivo IFN-gamma producers. Development of splenomegaly following BCG inoculation was not directly related to IFN-gamma responsiveness.