Production of interferon by leukocytes from patients with atopic and nonatopic asthma.

Investigations were carried out on 62 patients with atopic and nonatopic asthma and 70 normal individuals. Leukocytes isolated according to the method of Mogensen and Cantell, were induced for interferon production with Newcastle virus, H strain for 24 h at 37 degrees C in a tube culture placed in rolling drum. Interferon was assayed in the culture of human fibroblasts (HAT). Leukocytes from patients with both types of asthma had reduced interferon-inducing activity. At acute viral infection, a transient increase of interferon titer was observed. The titer, however, never reached the values of interferon induced in leukocytes from healthy individuals.