Abstract: | Mononuclear leukocytes of 10 normal blood donors were cultured in vitro and treated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA-P) and/or levamisole. Interferon-like activity was investigated in the supernatant fluids of the cultures, using VSV as challenge virus. In most of the cases the PHA-stimulated interferon-like activity was slightly but significantly enhanced by levamisole. The antiviral activity produced in the supernatant fluids was characterized as interferon since it was trypsin sensitive, species specific and inhibited by specific antiserum. This interferon has the characteristic sensitivity to PH2 of immune interferon. |