Antiviral effects of double-stranded RNA from rice dwarf virus on infection of mice with western equine encephalitis virus.
A single administration (1 to 10 mg/kg) of rice dwarf virus RNA (RDV-RNA) prior to virus challenge reduced the mortality of mice infected with western equine encephalitis (WEE) virus. The protective effect of RDV-RNA was significantly higher than that of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid. However, when these RNAs were given after virus infection, the protective effect was negligible. The titer of circulating interferon in mice reached a peak about 5 hr after injection of these RNAs and remained at this level for about 24 hr. Viremia in mice infected with a lethal dose of WEE virus was markedly suppressed by the treatment of mice with these RNAs. A pathological examination of mice treated with a lethal dose of RDV-RNA revealed marked changes including degeneration and karyorrhexis in the lymphoid tissues of the spleen.
D000818:Animals; D004667:Encephalitis Virus, Western Equine; D004683:Encephalomyelitis, Equine / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D007369:Interferon Inducers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007372:Interferons / Q000097:blood; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D012275:Oryza / Q000382:microbiology; D010942:Plant Viruses; D011070:Poly I-C / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D013997:Time Factors
D007369:Interferon Inducers; D012367:RNA, Viral; D007372:Interferons; D011070:Poly I-C