Induction of proteins in interferon-alpha- and interferon-gamma-treated polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) treatment of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) results in an activation of their functions. Studying the IFN responsiveness of PMNs and using antibodies to the IFN-induced proteins, we have observed the ability of IFN-alpha to stimulate the production of the IFN-induced 67,000 and 56,000 dalton proteins and the ability of IFN-gamma to induce the synthesis of the 67,000, 56,000, and 42,000 dalton proteins. The induction of these proteins is dependent on de novo RNA synthesis, as its induction is inhibited if the IFNs and actinomycin D are added to the cells simultaneously. The results of this study confirm the ability of PMNs to carry out gene activation and demonstrate the ability of PMNs to respond to both IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma.