Interferon protects mice against inhalation anthrax.
J Interferon Cytokine Res
; 28(10): 597-601, 2008 Oct.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-18778201
ABSTRACT
Interferons (IFNs) play a role in innate immunity during many viral, bacterial, and protozoal infections. With the increasing threat of bioterrorist attacks with Bacillus anthracis, its high lethality, and the limited effectiveness of antibiotics, alternative treatments are being studied. Antibodies to protective antigen (PA) are promising, as is IFN. During many bacterial infections, production of and protection by IFNs has been reported, including B. anthracis in vitro. In vivo, we find that (1) the type I IFN inducer, Poly-ICLC, strongly and rapidly protects mice; (2) the protection is IFN-mediated since recombinant murine IFN-beta can protect, and protection by Poly-ICLC is abrogated in IFN type I receptor knockout mice. The greatest protection by Poly-ICLC was conferred by intranasal treatment. A delay in death was observed with the intramuscular route alone, but was not significant. Together, the results suggest the IFN defense could protect mice, up to 60%, against lethal inhalational anthrax, and thus have important medical implications for therapy of human anthrax.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Polylysine
/
Respiratory Tract Infections
/
Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium
/
Interferon Inducers
/
Interferons
/
Poly I-C
/
Anthrax
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
J Interferon Cytokine Res
Journal subject:
ALERGIA E IMUNOLOGIA
Year:
2008
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States