Effects of Different Interferons on the Replication of Herpes Simplex Virus in Human T Lymphocytes

Abstract

Human T cells were activated with PHA and after 48 h they were treated with preparations of different human interferons (IFNs). After a further incubation period of 24 h, the cells were washed and infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Reduced virus titers were observed in T cells pretreated with IFN-α or IFN-β, whereas IFN-γ showed no antiviral effects. These findings indicate that IFN-γ does not exert protection against viral infection in this system. We investigated the synthesis of HSV-coded early and late proteins in T cells pretreated with IFN-α and IFN-β. Immunofluorescence studies revealed inhibition of expression of the immediate early α-protein ICP 4. Induction of DNA-polymerase, a viral β-protein, was inhibited both by IFN-α and IFN-β in a dosedependent manner. As suggested by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, other viral β- and γ-pro teins of HSV were inhibited by IFN-α and IFN -β as well.