title: IFN-alpha induces MxA gene expression in cultured human corneal fibroblasts.
abstract: Treatment of certain human cells with Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) induces the synthesis of a 76 kDa protein designated MxA that is involved in resistance to viral infection. We have used a specific cDNA clone and monoclonal Ab to show that MxA is induced in IFN-alpha treated human corneal fibroblast cultures. Mx RNA was increased 23-fold and 45-fold after 5 and 9 h of IFN-alpha treatment, respectively. The MxA protein was detectable by immunoblotting at 5 hr after IFN treatment and peaked at 17 hr. Concentrations of IFN-alpha as low as 1 U/ml induced detectable amounts of MxA, and expression was maximal at 1 x 10(3) U ml-1. These results confirm that MxA synthesis is induced in human corneal fibroblasts treated with IFN-alpha.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison 53706-1532, USA.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Abrams
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Balish
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Brandt
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003315:Cornea / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007700:Kinetics; D064547:Myxovirus Resistance Proteins; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; C579071:MX1 protein, human; D064547:Myxovirus Resistance Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D012313:RNA; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins