Catecholamines inhibit alpha/beta interferon production induced by lipopolysaccharide.

In vitro incubation of Listeria monocytogenes immune spleen cells in the presence of the catecholamines epinephrine or norepinephrine inhibited the alpha/beta-interferon (IFN alpha/beta) synthesis induced by the mitogen lipopolysaccharide, in a manner that appeared to be concentration-dependent. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of both catecholamines epinephrine and norepinephrine on the synthesis of IFN alpha/beta was prevented by incubating immune spleen cells in the presence of propranolol, a beta-adrenergic antagonist agent.