title: Double-stranded ribonucleic acid from Mengo virus: production, characterization, and interferon-inducing and antiviral activities in comparison with polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid.
abstract: Mengo virus double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) was obtained on a semi-industrial scale from infected cultures of BHK-21 cells grown in suspension. Yield of the extraction and purification operations was small (about 22 mg from 10(11) cells in a 100-liter culture). Physicochemical characterization of this dsRNA gave an estimated molecular weight close to 4 x 10(6), a density of 1.59 (similar to that of the poliovirus dsRNA), and a thermal transition midpoint of 94 C. This product was a little more toxic for the mouse, by the intravenous route, than polyriboinosinic . polyribocytidylic acid (poly I:C) and strictly comparable in this respect to poliovirus dsRNA. The interferon-inducing capacity in the mouse and the antiviral activities in the mouse (infected with encephalomyocarditis, Semliki Forest, influenza, foot-and-mouth disease, and murine hepatitis viruses) and in the rabbit (Shope fibroma virus) of the ultraviolet light-inactivated product were practically identical, on a quantitative basis, with those of poly I:C. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed the dsRNA from Mengo virus to be slightly but significantly more resistant than poly I:C to the inactivating effect of human serum.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007369:Interferon Inducers; D008574:Mengovirus; D051379:Mice; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D011070:Poly I-C / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011817:Rabbits; D014776:Virus Cultivation; D014780:Viruses / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007369:Interferon Inducers; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011070:Poly I-C