Exogenous IFN-alpha administration reduces influenza A virus replication in the lower respiratory tract of rhesus macaques.
To determine the role of innate immune responses in controlling influenza A virus replication, rhesus macaques (RM) were administered pegylated IFN-alpha prior to virus challenge. Systemic and mucosal pegylated IFN-alpha administration induced expression of the interferon-stimulated genes (ISG) MxA and OAS in the airways. RM treated with IFN-alpha 24 hours prior to influenza virus challenge had significantly lower peak vRNA levels in the trachea compared to untreated animals. In addition to blunting viral replication, IFN-alpha treatment minimized the weight loss and spike in body temperature after influenza infection of RM. These results confirm the importance of IFN-alpha induced innate immune responses in the rapid control of influenza A virus replication in primates.
Center for Comparative Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America.
Shannon R
SR
Matzinger
Timothy D
TD
Carroll
Linda
L
Fritts
Michael B
MB
McChesney
Christopher J
CJ
Miller
D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D008253:Macaca mulatta / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D014132:Trachea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects*
D016898:Interferon-alpha