[Interferon production by primary culture of human endothelial cells]

Endothelial cells of human umbilical vein are capable of producing interferon upon induction with Newcastle disease virus, influenza virus, and poly I: poly C, but not staphylococcal enterotoxin A. All the interferons produced belonged to the alpha-type. After treatment with influenza virus the endothelial cells produce two subtypes of alpha-interferon: acid-labile and acid-stable.