Production and characterization of interferon induced in chicken leukocytes by concanavalin A

Interferon (IFN) was induced in chicken peripheral blood leukocytes by exposure to Concanavalin A (Con A). It has reached a maximum level 96 hr after stimulation with the optimum dose of 10 micrograms/ml. The IFN was partially purified by chromatography on controlled-pore glass adsorbent and was characterized as a fairly acid-stable and heat-resistant, trypsin-sensitive and species-specific substance with Mr of 20,500 Da. Antiviral response by this type of IFN in chick fibroblast culture developed within several hours. This study provides first evidence of the presence of IFN in supernatants of mitogen-stimulated chicken peripheral leukocytes.