The kinetics of HCMV-induced factor(s) ability to suppress monocyte oxidative activity correlates with the kinetics of IFN-α release. The kinetics of HCMV-induced factor(s) activity (left part of the graph) were compared with the kinetics of IFN-α release (right part of the graph). CM were collected after increasing periods of HCMV or mock preparation exposure to PBMCs (inactivated Toledo virus, 0.001 MOI equivalent) and either added to the purified monocytes or tested by ELISA to determine the quantity of IFN-α. The CM was added to the purified monocytes, and after 4 days the MTS/PMS assay was performed. (♦), Quantity of IFN-α present in the CMV CM; (•), quantity of IFN-α present in the mock CM; (□), percentage of monocyte oxidative activity inhibition (mean ± SD).