Interferon induction in human lymphocytes by complexes of vinyl copolymers with polynucleotides.

Analogues of the dsRNA poly(I).poly(C), namely double-stranded like complexes of poly(I) or poly(C), respectively, with corresponding vinyl nucleobases copolymerized with various vinyl compounds are highly effective interferon inducers in human lymphocyte cultures. Like poly(I).poly(C) they stimulate the liberation of an inhibitor(s) of interferon activity and, moreover, display mitogenic effect. With respect to the extent of these effects the various inducers differ considerably.