Effect of Viruses and Interferon on Chick Embryo Otocyst Cultures

Abstract

Chick embryo otocyst organ cultures were subjected to live vesicular stomatitis virus and rubella virus preparations, to interferon (IFN), and to a combination of both virus and IFN, and compared to control untreated otocysts, We observed morphologic and microscopic changes suggestive of individual cell death and delayed organ differentiation in the virus-treated groups, along with an appreciable decrease in size of the otocyst. Low-dose IFN treatment prior to virus inoculation appeared to partially prevent these effects. The addition of IFN alone did not seem to affect the differentiation process. Time-lapse videophotography further confirmed the above findings. This study suggests that the peripheral component of congenital deafness associated with viral infections is likely to be an effect of the virus itself, and not of the IFN. Interferon provides a partial protective effect against the insult from the virus in vitro and does not seem to be toxic to the developing otocyst.