Role of several types of cells (human broncho-epithelial cells, BEAS-2B cell line, and mononuclear cells as model of macrophages) in production of alpha-, beta- and lambda-interferons during acute respiratory viral infection was studied. Kits for detection of these interferons by quantitative PCR assay has been developed. In human broncho-epithelial cells respiratory viruses induced statistically significant expression of alpha-interferon mRNA at 8 hours after infection, beta-interferon mRNA--at 24 hours after infection, IL-29 mRNA (lambda-interferon) - at 24 hours after infection, IL-28 mRNA (lambda-interferon) - at 8 and 24 hours after infection. In BEAS-2B cell line induction of alpha-interferon mRNA expression was observed at 8 hours after infection, beta-interferon mRNA expression - at 24 hours after infection, IL-29 mRNA (lambda-interferon) expression - at 8 and 24 hours after viral challenge. Production of beta- and lambda-interferons by ELISA at 24 hours after infection has been detected. When polymorphonuclear cells were challenged, induction of alpha-, beta-, and lambda-interferons expression was observed at 8 hours after infection. Production of alpha-, beta- and lambda-interferons has been detected by ELISA at 24 hours after infection by rhinovirus 16.