Production of mouse interferon with high titers in a large-scale suspension culture system

Interferon production with multitray culture system on a large scale

A multitray culture system was devised for cell culture and interferon (IFN) production on a large scale. The system consisted of a cell culture apparatus which has stacked multitrays and a reservoir. All components of the system were made of nontoxic, nonmutagenic, washable, and autoclavable materials, so that the system can be repetitively used in suitable condition for cultivations of anchorage-dependent cells with low running cost. Large quantities of mouse IFN (containing both MuIFN-alpha and MuIFN-beta) from mouse L cells and human beta interferon (HuIFN-beta) from human fibroblast cells, respectively, were obtained very efficiently using this system in comparison with roller bottle, bulk culture vessel, and microcarrier systems.

Interferon-inducing activity of an immunotherapeutic anticancer agent, SSM, prepared from Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain Aoyama B

The interferon-inducing capacity of arabinomannan-lipid preparation (SSM) extracted from Mycobacterium tuberculosis Aoyama B in both BCG-sensitized and unsensitized mice was studied in comparison with that of purified protein derivative (PPD) prepared from the same tubercle bacillus. Although it is known that PPD cannot stimulate interferon production in BCG-unsensitized mice, interferon activity was found in sera of both groups of mice after intravenous injection of SSM at a dose of 5 mg/kg. The maximum titer was detected 5 hr after injection. The interferon induced by SSM in both groups of mice shared certain physicochemical properties with the immune interferon induced by PPD in BCG-sensitized mice. In BCG-unsensitized mice, interferon induction by SSM was markedly inhibited by pretreatment with trypan blue and carrageenan, whereas it was not depressed in BCG-sensitized mice given the same treatment or when interferon was induced by PPD. In addition, induction of interferon in BCG-sensitized mice by SSM and PPD and in unsensitized mice by SSM was completely abrogated by pretreatment with hydrocortisone acetate and whole-body x-irradiation (700 R). These results suggest that in BCG-unsensitized mice macrophages, in addition to X-ray or hydrocortisone-sensitive cells, may be required for interferon induction by SSM.