Suppression of HBsAg production in PLC/PRF/5 human hepatoma cell line by interferons.

Recombinant human interferon alpha 2a as well as natural human interferons alpha and beta significantly suppressed the production of hepatitis B surface antigen by PLC/PRF/5 cells (which have been established from a human primary hepatocellular carcinoma and proven to carry the hepatitis B virus DNA) and inhibited proliferation of these cells in vitro. However, the production of alpha-fetoprotein by PLC/PRF/5 cells was less significantly affected by any of the interferons. These results suggest that these interferons not only suppress cellular proliferation but also selectively inhibit the action of the HBV gene which is persistently present in these cells.