Unexpected Correlation in the Sensitivity of 19 Herpes Simplex Virus Strains to Types I and II Interferons

Abstract

We compared the sensitivity of 19 herpes simplex virus (HSV) strains to type I (IFN-α and IFN-β) and type II (IFN-γ) human interferons in cultures of human retinal epithelial (K-1034) and lung (HEL) cells. Their sensitivities proved to be well correlated, even though type I and type II IFN have been reported to have different antiviral actions. The correlation was not because IFN-γ stimulated the formation of IFN-β, for an antibody that neutralized IFN-β did not reduce its inhibitory effects. Our results show that each HSV strain has a characteristic and similar sensitivity to type I and type II IFN and suggest some common pathway in the mechanism of their antiviral actions.