[Effect of exogenous interferon on the course of latent oncornavirus infection of J-96 cells].

The effect of exogenous leukocyte interferon on the course of chronic oncornavirus infection of lymphoblastoid J-96 cells chronically producing type B virus was studied. By means of radio-isotope analysis and electron microscope examinations it was shown that upon long-term passage of the cells (18-34 passages) in the presence of interferon (10 units/ml) the process of virion formation in the cells was inhibited 2.0-4.4-fold and virus budding to a lower extent (1.6-2.7-fold). Interferon exerted no inhibiting effect on the formation of intracytoplasmic virions of type A. The employment of KC-test showed the oncornavirus produced by J-96 cells in the presence of interferon to have retained its biological activity, being able to induce synthesis of the indicator KC cells. Examination of the cell membranes by electrophoresis in polyacryl amide gel showed that interferon contributed to accumulation of glycoproteins with high molecular weights (115 000, 100 000 and 68 ooo daltons) in this cell fraction. Simultaneously the experimental cells were found to have 2-3-fold increased amount of inter-species group-specific antigen of Mason-Pfizer virus. The mechanism of action of interferon on multiplication of J-96 cell oncornavirus is discussed.