Production of type I (alpha/beta) interferon after virus infection of cloned, alloantigen-sensitized mouse T lymphocytes

Mouse T lymphocytes sensitized to alloantigens were cloned by limiting dilution in the presence of interleukin 2. Clones were tested for surface markers Thy-1, Lyt-1 and Lyt-2, and for cytotoxic function. Production of interferon (IFN) by clones either (a) stimulated with allogeneic cells; (b) activated with concanavalin A (Con A); or (c) infected with Semliki Forest virus or Newcastle disease virus were assayed. All clones produced IFN upon Con A stimulation and most after virus infection. Analysis of the IFN produced by a single clone, using anti-IFN antisera, showed that while Con A stimulation induced production of type II IFN (IFN-gamma), the IFN produced after virus infection was type I IFN (IFN-alpha/beta).