Potent inhibition of SARS-associated coronavirus (SCOV) infection and replication by type I interferons (IFN-alpha/beta) but not by type II interferon (IFN-gamma).
We sought to investigate the anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-associated coronavirus (SCoV) activities of type I (alpha and beta) and type II (gamma) interferons (IFN) in vitro. Type I IFNs protected cells from cytopathic effects (CPE) induced by SCoV, and inhibited viral genomic RNA replication in FRhk-4 cells (measured by quantitative RT-PCR) in a dose-dependent manner. Intracellular viral RNA copies were reduced 50% by IFN-alpha at a concentration of 25 U/ml and by IFN-beta at a concentration of 14 U/ml. IFN-gamma had fewer effects on inhibition of viral infection and replication. The type I IFN receptor signaling pathway in host cells is mainly involved in the inhibition of SCoV infection and replication. Type I IFNs could be used as potential agents for anti-SARS treatment.
Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
Bojian
B
Zheng
Ming-Liang
ML
He
King-Ling
KL
Wong
Ching Tung
CT
Lum
Leo L M
LL
Poon
Ying
Y
Peng
Yi
Y
Guan
Marie C M
MC
Lin
Hsiang-Fu
HF
Kung
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D045473:Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007370:Interferon Type I; D012367:RNA, Viral; D007371:Interferon-gamma