Human interferon and cell growth inhibition. I. Inhibitory effect of human interferon on the growth rate of cultured human cells.

Human interferon inhibited the growth rate of cultured human cells. These included diploid fibroblast cells from embryonal lung and skin, established lines of HeLa and U-amnion cells, all grown in monolayer; and the established lymphoblastoid line P3HR1 grown in suspension. Cells growing fast were inhibited to a higher degree than those growing slowly. The inhibitory effect was dose dependent but the dose-dependency was different in various cell types. The inhibitory effect of leukocyte interferon and fibroblast interferon was quantitatively comparable.