Augmentation of mitogen-induced interferon production in lymphocytes by thymosin.

Thymosin (thymosin fraction 5), in combination with mitogen (concanavalin A) augments the amount of interferon produced in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (in vitro studies). In addition, after pretreatment of mice with thymosin (intraperitoneal administration), thymosin augments the mitogen-induced interferon production in mouse lymphocytes in vitro. The produced interferon is immune interferon (IFN-gamma) as determined by sensitivity to pH 2 and lack of neutralization by antibodies to IFN-alpha or IFN-beta. Results indicate that thymic hormones may also participate in the regulation of interferon production.