Interferon inhibits the growth of Legionella micdadei in mouse L cells

The intracellular growth of Legionella micdadei was inhibited in mouse L cells treated with interferon (IFN). This IFN-mediated restriction was dose-dependent and required preincubation of the L cells with high doses of IFN (1,000 U/ml) for maximal inhibition. Incubation of L. micdadei with IFN alone had no detectable effect on growth of the bacteria. The IFN-mediated growth restriction was not dependent upon tryptophan concentration in the culture medium.