Interferon Inhibits Cardiac Cell Function in Vitro

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Abstract
The effect of interferon on cardiac cell beating in vitro was investigated. When steadily pulsating rat cardiac cultures were continuously exposed to rat interferon for 24 h, a decrease in the beating rate was observed; this beat-inhibiting activity of rat interferon was reversible. Mouse interferon, which exerted antiviral activity on rat heart nonmuscle cells, also decreased the beating rate of rat cardiac cultures. Human leukocyte interferon, when tested at the same dose at which rat interferon was active, exhibited no antiviral activity in rat heart nonmuscle cells and did not exert beating rate effects. Antiserum prepared against mouse interferon neutralized the antiviral and beat-inhibiting activities of mouse interferon to the same extent. None of the interferons produced morphological effects on the heart cells. That interferon affects cardiac cell function in vitro may have relevance to clinical application [anti-cancer therapy].