title: Effects of cytokines and R-837, a cytokine inducer, on UV-irradiation augmented recurrent genital herpes in guinea pigs.
abstract: We have recently reported that latently HSV-2-infected guinea pigs exhibit a three- to four-fold increase in recurrent lesions after exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV), allowing rapid evaluation of antiviral drugs in treating recurrent HSV disease. In this report we examine the effect of alpha interferon (IFN-alpha), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and a cytokine inducer (R-837) on UV-induced recurrent genital herpes. We have previously shown that topical R-837 is a biologic response modifier with no in vitro anti-HSV activity, but with potent anti-HSV activity in vivo due to cytokine induction and enhancement of cell-mediated immune responses. Three-day regimens of intravaginal R-837, or five-day intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of IFN-alpha or of IL-2 each significantly reduced recurrent genital HSV-2 disease that occurred within 7 days of UV exposure, suggesting that cytokines or cytokine inducers may be useful in the treatment of recurrent HSV disease. This model using ultraviolet radiation to induce recurrent herpes simplex virus infection proved useful in the evaluation of immunoactive agents as putative antiviral drugs.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-2899.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Stanberry
authors.forename: D I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Bernstein
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D000077271:Imiquimod; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012008:Recurrence; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014775:Virus Activation / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007370:Interferon Type I; D007376:Interleukin-2; D000077271:Imiquimod