TI:  Studies on the Biological Effect of Ozone 1. Induction of
     Interferon on Human Leucocytes

DT:  1990

AU:  Velio Bocci, Luana Paulesu

SO:  Haematologica 1990;75:10-5

AB:  In this study we have investigated the effects of ozone on 
     human blood, as well as on resuspended buffy coats and 
     Ficoll-purified mononuclear cells.  Samples were exposed at 
     different ozone concentrations (from 2.2 ug to 108 ug/ml) 
     for 30 sec and then incubated for different times at 37 
     Degrees C in a 95% air-5% CO2 humidified atmosphere.  
     Supernatants were collected and frozen at -20 degrees C 
     until tested for interferon (IFN) activity.  We have 
     determined that the ozone concentration is critical for 
     lymphokine induction.  In fact, while low concentrations 
     (2.2 ug/ml) are effective in lymphocytes, they do not induce 
     IFN in either whole or diluted (1:1) human blood, or 
     resuspended buffy coats.  In such cases levels as high as 42 
     ug/ml are required.  On the other hand, a very high ozone 
     concentrations (108 ug/ml) is not effective and probably 
     toxic.  Maximal IFN production occurs 72-96 h after ozone 
     exposure, and the kinetics of IFN release is similar to that 
     after Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B addition.  Because 
     ozonization of blood is a medical procedure followed in 
     several countries for treatment of viral diseases, this 
     study can open a new field of investigation that may yield 
     useful results both in biological and practical terms.