Modulation of epidermal growth factor receptors by human alpha interferon.

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Abstract
Treatment of Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells with human interferon (IFN)-.alpha.2 at 37.degree. C results in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth and a reduction of the subsequent binding of 125I-labeled epidermal growth factor (EGF) at 4.degree. C. Human IFN-.beta. and -.gamma., which exhibit little antiviral and antiproliferative activities on MDBK cells, have little effect on cell growth or the binding of 125I-labeled EGF to these cells. The binding of EGF is decreased after exposure to IFN-.alpha. for greater than 8 hr. Scatchard analyses of the EGF binding data indicate that a 20-hr exposure period results in a decrease in the apparent number of cell-surface EGF receptors and a reduction in the affinity of EGF for its receptor. The rate of internalization of EGF by MDBK cells does not appear to be affected by IFN treatment.
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