Cultured human endothelial cells treated with recombinant leukocyte A interferon. Tubuloreticular inclusion formation, antiproliferative effect, and 2',5' oligoadenylate synthetase induction.

Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human thoracic aorta endothelial cells were treated with 500, 1,000, and 2,000 IU/ml of recombinant leukocyte alpha-interferon for 2, 4, and 7 days. Tubuloreticular inclusions developed in treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human thoracic aorta endothelial cells. The size and number of tubuloreticular inclusions observed correlated with the dose and duration of treatment. Interferon treatment inhibited the rate of proliferation of both human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human thoracic aorta endothelial cells in a dose- and duration-dependent manner. Induction of the interferon-associated enzyme, 2'-5' oligoadenylate synthetase, also occurred. Since the endothelium is exposed to endogenous interferon present in certain pathologic conditions and to exogenous interferon administered in the treatment of several neoplastic or viral diseases, there is an increased need to understand the various effects of interferon on the endothelial cell.