Recombinant interferon-gamma applied to the brain ventricular system protects rats against pseudorabies.
We examined the prophylactic efficacy of recombinant rat interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) administered directly into the brain ventricular system or via the intraperitoneal (i.p.) route against central and peripheral pseudorabies virus (PRV) infection. Intraperitoneally given IFN-gamma completely protected rats against a lethal i.p. PRV infection. The same regimen showed no protective effect against lethal intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) PRV challenge even if IFN-gamma was given in high concentrations. When given via the i.c.v. route, IFN-gamma protected rats against lethal i.c.v. infection and also evoked partial protection with extended survival times of i.p. infected rats. Our results demonstrate an IFN-gamma-mediated antiviral effect in the central nervous system.
Schijns
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V
Institute of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, State University Utrecht, The Netherlands.
van Giersbergen
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P
Schellekens
H
H
Horzinek
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MC
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000382:microbiology*; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D011557:Pseudorabies / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015996:Survival Rate
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma