[Basic study on human lymphoblastoid interferon-alpha (MOR-22): Part I. Antiviral effect].

A study was performed on the antiviral effects of human interferon-alpha (MOR-22) produced by a human lymphoblastoid cell line (BALL-1). Of 4 DNA and 9 RNA viruses used in this study, all were inhibited by the IFN-alpha and the IC90s obtained were 10(1)-10(4) IU/ml. Results showed that IFN-alpha had a very wide antiviral spectrum. The IFN-alpha was able to induce 2',5'-oligo A synthetase activity in RSa, HeLa S3 and M08 cell lines but not in a HEC-IC cell line lacking receptors for IFN-alpha. This strongly suggests that one of the antiviral mechanisms might function through the induction of 2',5'-oligo A synthetase activity through the IFN-alpha receptor.