Inhibition of interferon synthesis by triethylenemelamine and 4-nitroquinoline-N-Oxide

Summary

Two carcinogenic compounds of different chemical structure have been studied for their effect on interferon synthesis. The first compound examined was the weakly carcinogenic alkylating agent triethylenemelamine (TEM). The second compound examined was the highly carcinogenic bicyclic compound 4-Nitroquinoline-N-Oxide (4-NQO). Pretreatment of rat embryo cell cultures with either TEM or 4-NQO, at doses of 1 to 0.01 μg/ml, and 0.1 to 0.01 μg/ml respectively, inhibited the synthesis of interferon upon subsequent infection of these cultures with Semliki Forest virus. In view of the previously reported inhibition of interferon synthesis by polycyclic aromatic carcinogens and by ultraviolet light, it becomes evident that carcinogenic agents of a widely different nature are capable of inhibiting the synthesis of interferon.