Interferons (IFNs) induce antiviral activity in many cell types. The ability of IFN-gamma to inhibit replication of ectromelia, vaccinia, and herpes simplex-1 viruses in mouse macrophages correlated with the cells' production of nitric oxide (NO). Viral replication was restored in IFN-gamma-treated macrophages exposed to inhibitors of NO synthase. Conversely, epithelial cells with no detectable NO synthesis restricted viral replication when transfected with a complementary DNA encoding inducible NO synthase or treated with organic compounds that generate NO. In mice, an inhibitor of NO synthase converted resolving ectromelia virus infection into fulminant mousepox. Thus, induction of NO synthase can be necessary and sufficient for a substantial antiviral effect of IFN-gamma.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	IFN-g; Nitric oxide; inhibition of viral replication; in vivo; poxvirus; herpesvirus
Research Division:	Biomedical and Clinical Sciences
Research Group:	Immunology
Research Field:	Innate immunity
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Clinical health
Objective Field:	Prevention of human diseases and conditions
UTAS Author:	Karupiah, G (Associate Professor Guna Karupiah)
ID Code:	142854
Year Published:	1993
Web of Science® Times Cited:	762
Deposited By:	Medicine
Deposited On:	2021-02-12
Last Modified:	2021-05-26
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