Anti-adenoviral effect of interferon-β and interferon-γ in serotypes that cause acute keratoconjunctivitis.
BACKGROUND
Interferons are currently used for hepatitis B and C virus infection; the effect of interferons against adenovirus has not been elucidated. It has been reported that interferon-β and interferon-γ were effective against adenovirus serotype 3. We investigated the anti-adenoviral effect of interferon-β and interferon-γ in serotypes that cause acute keratoconjunctivitis, using quantitative polymerase chain reaction in vitro.


METHODS
Experimental study carried out in a university.


METHODS
Five strains of different serotypes of adenovirus, types 3 (AdV3; species B), 4 (species E), 8, 19a and 37 (species D) and interferon-β and interferon-γ for in vitro assay.


METHODS
After pretreatment of A549 with serial dilution of interferons for 24 h, adenovirus was cultivated for 7 days, and adenoviral DNA was quantitatively measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction.


METHODS
Number of virus copies after treatment and the 50% effective concentration (EC(50) ).


RESULTS
Interferon-β showed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on all serotypes. EC(50) of interferon-β ranged between 211 and 843 IU/mL. A similar tendency was observed with interferon-γ. EC(50) of interferon-γ ranged between 133 and 9130 IU/mL. Among the serotypes, interferon-γ exhibited the greatest inhibitory effect on AdV37. In contrast, AdV4 showed the lowest sensitivity to interferon-γ. Statistically significant dose dependency for both interferon-β and interferon-γ was observed in several serotypes.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that both interferon-β and interferon-γ have anti-adenoviral activity in vitro. Interferons have the potential to be used for local treatment of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis, although further evaluation in animal models and clinical trials is necessary.
Department of Ophthalmology, Fukuoka University School of Medicine, Fukuoka,Japan. euchio@fukuoka-u.ac.jp
Eiichi
E
Uchio
Hirotoshi
H
Inoue
Aki
A
Fuchigami
Kazuaki
K
Kadonosono
D000258:Adenovirus Infections, Human / Q000821:virology; D000260:Adenoviruses, Human / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007637:Keratoconjunctivitis / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D016899:Interferon-beta