Patent ID: 6855519

Claim:
A method for producing α- or β-interferon, said method comprising the steps of: (a) selecting from a population of human cells a cell that overproduces protein kinase, RNA dependent (PKR) as compared with other unselected cells of the population, and as evidenced by a higher level of PKR produced by the cell than that produced by the other unselected cells; (b) culturing the cell or a progeny of the cell under conditions wherein the cell or progeny overproduces PKR as compared with other unselected cells of the population, and as evidenced by a higher level of PKR produced by the cell or progeny than that produced by the other unselected cells; (c) treating the cell or progeny with an inducer sufficient to induce expression of α- or β-interferon by the cell or progeny, whereby α- or β-interferon production by the cell or progeny is increased, and (d) collecting α- or β-interferon produced by the cultured, treated cell or progeny.