Comparative effects of α, β and γ human interferons on a HBsAg-producing human hepatoma cell line

Summary The effects of all the three types of human interferons (α, β and γ) on a human hepatoma cell line with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA sequences integrated into the host DNA and producing hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in culture medium were assayed. The aim of the present research was to test human interferon preparations in anin vitro system for hepatitis B virus, and to compare the observed effects. The results evidenced both the antireplicative activity principally showed by preparations of β and γ human interferons and the inhibition of HBsAg production by high concentrations of γ human interferon. This work was supported in part by a grant from theConsiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Roma, Italy (contract № 83.00631.52).