Effect of antiorthostatic suspension on interferon-alpha/beta production by the mouse.
Mice were suspended in a model that simulates weightlessness that occurs during prolonged space flight. After 1 and 2 weeks of suspension in an antiorthostatic (head-down tilt) position, the mice were challenged with polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid to induce interferon-alpha/beta. Interferon production was severely reduced in mice that had been suspended. When mice were allowed to recover in cages for a week following removal from suspension, they recovered their full interferon-production capacity. Mice suspended in an orthostatic (horizontal) position did not have their interferon production capabilities affected, which indicates that stress per se was not a major component in the effects of antiorthostatic suspension on interferon induction.
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051379:Mice; D011070:Poly I-C / Q000494:pharmacology; D011187:Posture; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000378:metabolism; D014893:Weightlessness
D007370:Interferon Type I; D011070:Poly I-C