Nonsensitized murine B lymphocytes produce mouse interferon alpha/beta in response to foreign cells

Nonsensitized murine lymphocytes produced mouse interferon when cocultured with foreign and transformed cells. Neutralization tests revealed that this interferon was of the alpha/beta type. The B lymphocyte appeared responsible for the bulk of the interferon production as determined by cell "panning," complement-mediated depletion, and immunofluorescence experiments.