Effects of Cortisol on Interferon Production by Mouse Peritoneal Leukocytes and Spleen in vitro and in vivo

Interferon production by mouse peritonea] leukocytes infected in vitro was unaffected by addition of Cortisol in vitro. Peritoneal cell explants from infected mice treated with Cortisol produced significantly greater amounts of interferon, although less interferon was produced by splenic tissue of the same mice. Enhanced interferon production by peritoneal cell explants from cortisol-injected animals was also observed when the cells were infected with virus in vitro. The possible significance of these data is discussed.