Influence of recombinant human interleukin (IL)-7 on disease progression in mice infected with Friend virus complex.
Recombinant human (rhu) IL-7 was evaluated for its influence on disease progression in mice infected with the polycythemia-inducing strain of the Friend virus complex (FVC). DBA/2 mice were injected i.v. with FVC, and then treated s.c. with rhuIL-7. IL-7 significantly prolonged survival time and decreased spleen focus-forming virus (SFFV) levels, expression of SFFV mRNA and SFFV protein production in FVC-infected mice. IL-7 did not appear to directly inactivate SFFV. Although both splenic weight and cellularity in FVC-infected mice treated with IL-7 were higher than those of normal mice, they were respectively 58% and 66% lower than those of the untreated FVC-infected mice. NK-cell activity was substantially lower in FVC-infected mice than in normal mice, while IL-7 restored NK-cell activity to normal levels. IL-6 and IFN-gamma levels were markedly reduced in FVC-infected mice compared to normal mice, but treatment of FVC-infected mice with IL-7 restored these cytokine levels. While the actual mechanisms of these effects are not yet known, the results suggest the potential therapeutic efficacy of IL-7 for certain hematopoietic and viral disorders, possibly mediated through an action on accessory cells and cytokine production.
Lu
L
L
Department of Medicine (Hematology/Oncology), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202-5121.
Zhou
Z
Z
Wu
B
B
Xiao
M
M
Shen
R N
RN
Williams
D E
DE
Kim
Y J
YJ
Kwon
B S
BS
Ruscetti
S
S
Broxmeyer
H E
HE
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005622:Friend murine leukemia virus; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015851:Interleukin-7 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural; D007942:Leukemia, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013155:Spleen Focus-Forming Viruses / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000032:analysis
D015850:Interleukin-6; D015851:Interleukin-7; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014764:Viral Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma