Role of type I and type II interferon responses in recovery from infection with an encephalitic flavivirus.
We have investigated the contribution of the interferon (IFN)-alpha/beta system, IFN-gamma and nitric oxide to recovery from infection with Murray Valley encephalitis virus, using a mouse model for flaviviral encephalitis where a small dose of virus was administered to 6-week-old wild-type and gene knockout animals by the intravenous route. We show that a defect in the IFN-alpha/beta responses results in uncontrolled extraneural virus growth, rapid virus entry into the brain and 100 % mortality. In contrast, mice deficient in IFN-gamma or nitric oxide production display an only marginally increased susceptibility to infection with the neurotropic virus.
Lobigs
Mario
M
Division of Immunology and Cell Biology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, PO Box 334, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
Müllbacher
Arno
A
Division of Immunology and Cell Biology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, PO Box 334, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
Wang
Yang
Y
Division of Immunology and Cell Biology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, PO Box 334, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
Pavy
Megan
M
Division of Immunology and Cell Biology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, PO Box 334, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
Lee
Eva
E
Division of Immunology and Cell Biology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, PO Box 334, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018450:Disease Progression; D018068:Encephalitis Virus, Murray Valley / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004671:Encephalitis, Arbovirus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013154:Spleen / Q000821:virology
D007370:Interferon Type I; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D007371:Interferon-gamma