The purpose of this work was to study the interrelationship of proliferation and secretion of plasminogen activator (PA) and interferon (IFN) by murine macrophages. For induction of macrophage proliferation and secretion of PA, concanavalin A (Con A) was used. Secretion of IFN was induced by polyinosinic polycytidylic acid complex. The glucocorticoid dexamethasone acetate (DA) (10(-6)-10(9) M) inhibited Con A-stimulated secretion of PA and synthesis of DNA as evaluated by incorporation of [3H]thymidine. DA did not inhibit IFN induction. Preincubating macrophages with DA for 45 h reduced basal proliferation and secretion of PA but did not reduce responsiveness to Con A. Also retinoic acid, a modulator of carcinogenesis was used in inhibition studies because of its known antagonistic effects on lymphocyte mitogenesis. In macrophages a biphasic effect of retinoic acid (1 X 10(-5) - 5 X 10(-5)M) was found: (a) inhibition of DNA synthesis and secretion of PA during the first 45 h of incubation, and (b) enhancement of DNA synthesis (but not PA secretion) after 72 h. Secretion of IFN was not affected. It is suggested that secretion of PA but not IFN is linked to cell cycle traverse of macrophages.