Patent ID: 6156542
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: C07K

Abstract:
A process for producing crude .alpha.-interferon comprising:i) obtaining purified leukocytes from human blood;ii) culturing said leudocytes in a medium in suspension culture;iii) adjusting the temperature of the culture to 30 to 40.degree. C. and pretreating the culture by contacting said leukocytes with 10-1000 IU/ml .alpha.-interferon, .beta.-interferon or .gamma.-interferon and continuing the culturing of the leukocytes at 30 to 40.degree. C. for 0.5 to 6 hours;iv) adjusting the temperature of the culture 35 to 39.degree. C. and contacting the leukocytes with a first portion of 10-1000 haemagglutination units/ml of Sendai virus and continuing the culture for 0.5 to 3 hours;v) lowering the temperature of the culture to less than 30.degree. C. and continuing the culture for 6 to 36 hours;vi) contacting the leukocytes with a second portion of 10-1000 haemagglutination units/ml of Sendai viurs; andvii) seperating the leukocytes from the culture medium to obtain a cell-free culture medium comprising crude .alpha.-interferon.