Reovirus Type 2

Abstract

Summary

The antiviral inhibitor substance produced by reovirus type 2 in a stable human amnion cell line (RA) was found to have several properties similar to interferon. It inhibited the growth of inducing virion as well as of heterologous virions, was not sedimentable at 45,000 rpm for 1.5 hours, was not neutralized by reovirus antiserum, was not toxic to cells, was stable upon treatment at pH 2, was inactivated by trypsin, and was ineffective in cells of unrelated species (mouse). These results indicate that the reovirus can induce interferon formation in cells and, like other virions, are also susceptible to the action of the inhibitor.