Production of interferon by peritoneal cells of several inbred mouse strains

The ability of peritoneal cells isolated from different strains of inbred mice to spontaneous interferon production was examined. AKR, C3H, and CBA mice which are known to develop spontaneous diseases such as lymphatic leukemia, mammary tumors or hepatomas in high percentage did not produce physiological interferon. On the other hand, peritoneal cells of BALB/c, 129, DBA/2 mice showed IFN production. In the early phase of their ontogenic development NZB mice were found to produce high titers of the interferon. Differences were found in the contents of a natural IFN-synthesis-inhibitor between C3H and NZB mice and are considered as one of the reasons of differentiated physiological interferon synthesis. The disturbance in the regulation of the physiological IFNs synthesis in the development of neoplastic and autoimmune diseases is discussed.