Rat interferons. VI. Heterologous interferon in the treatment of viral infections.

ABSTRACT

In previous studies in vitro we demonstrated the protection of mouse cells against viral infections by rat interferon. In continuation, the present paper reports results of a study designed to confirm this heterospecific activity of rat interferon in vivo. Experiments were carried out with mice of the inbred 129/AoBoy strain, inoculated intranasally or intraperitoneally with EMC-strain Col MM, VSV and influenza A 055/74 viruses, and treated with mouse or rat interferon administered by the same routes as infection. Both interferons exhibited protective action. The therapeutic effect of the mouse and rat interferons was dependent on the infecting dose of the viruses. Rat interferon proved more effective in the treatment of mice infected intraperitoneally than mice infected intranasally.