title: Recombinant murine beta interferon enhances resistance of mice to systemic Mycobacterium avium infection.
abstract: Susceptible BALB/c mice were infected with Mycobacterium avium TMC 702. Groups of mice were then infused with 10(4) U (approximately 400 U/h) of murine beta interferon (IFN-beta) via a minipump system, and the progression of the infection was assessed. Mice infused with IFN-beta showed superior resistance to infection, as determined by reduced bacterial growth in the livers and spleens of infected animals, (1-log reduction in bacterial CFU at 2 months postinfection; P less than 0.001). This was corroborated by the fact that resident peritoneal macrophages treated with IFN-beta in vitro (10(2) U/ml) were more bacteriostatic for M. avium TMC 702 than their untreated counterparts. Overall, these findings suggest an important role for IFN-beta in mycobacterial infections.
authors.affiliation: Unité de Recherche, Hôpital Laval, Chemin Sainte-Foy, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Denis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009162:Mycobacterium avium; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins