Unusual human interferons produced by virus-infected amniotic membranes.

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Abstract
Interferon (IFN) induced in the human amniotic membrane contains at least 5 different molecular species, as shown by analysis in sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gels after heating and under reducing conditions. Three of the IFN components reported here, migrating at 26, 43 and 80 kilodaltons, are of unusual antigenic structure because they are neutralized to about the same extent by anti-IFN-.alpha. and anti-IFN-.beta. antibodies. The 15-17 kilodalton species belongs to the IFN-.alpha. groups, while the 21-22 kilodalton species, the most frequently detected major peak, is IFN-.beta.. In addition to their unusual size and antigenic structure, these IFN could play a role during embryonic development and in the immune tolerance of the mother with regard to the fetus.