Identification of a Subpopulation of Mouse Lymphoid Cells Required for Interferon Production After Stimulation with Mitogens

Abstract
The cell population necessary for interferon production after mitogen stimulation was investigated in the mouse. Thymus cells and cortisone-resistant thymus cells failed to produce interferon after mitogen stimulation. When spleen cells, a mixture of B and T cells, were treated with anti-K chain serum and complement and then stimulated with PHA, no diminution of interferon production was observed. However, when spleen cells were treated with anti-ϑ antibody and complement and then stimulated with PHA, interferon production was markedly reduced. These studies suggest that peripheralized T cells are required for interferon production after mitogen stimulation.