Induction of human gamma interferon by Sarcophaga peregrina humoral lectin.

Humoral lectin isolated from the hemolymph of injured Sarcophaga peregrina (flesh-fly) larvae was found to activate human peripheral blood cells to produce interferon activity. This interferon was inactivated by dialysis against a solution of pH 2.0 and by heat treatment at 56 degrees C for 30 min, indicating that it was a gamma interferon. The role of this lectin in the defence mechanism is discussed from the viewpoint of comparative immunology.