Ultrastructural localization of interferon receptors on the surfaces of cultured cells and erythrocytes.

The bindings sites for interferon (IFN) on the limiting cell membranes of human and mouse fibroblasts and erythrocytes were revealed by an indirect immunoferritin technique. Mouse IFN-beta and human IFN-beta of high specific activity were used with the corresponding purified antibodies. Species-specific IFN binding was demonstrated by ferritin deposition on human erythrocytes and fibroblast membranes treated with human IFN and on mouse erythrocytes and fibroblast membranes treated with mouse IFN, but not on human erythrocytes or fibroblast membranes treated with mouse IFN. IFN binding sites on fibroblasts were located on regions of membranes between microvilli, whereas diphtheria toxin receptors were demonstrated mainly on microvilli. IFN binding altered the diphtheria toxin after IFN treatment. This reduced toxicity correlated with a decrease in the quantity of receptors for diphtheria toxin on the cell membrane. Thus, the species-specific binding of IFN appears to depend on membrane receptors in discrete regions of the limiting membrane which are present not only on functionally responsive fibroblasts but also on erythrocytes.