Effect Of Exogenous Expression Of Ifn-Gamma On The New World Alphavirus Replication And Infection

IFN-gamma plays an important role in control of the old world alphavirus infection. However, the role of IFN-gamma in the infection by the new world alphaviruses is not well characterized. Materials & methods: Ad5-mIFN-gamma, a recombinant, replication-deficient human adenovirus, was constructed to express mouse IFN-gamma (mIFN-gamma) and a mouse, lethal challenge model of the new world alphavirus western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV) was used. Results: A single-dose injection of Ad5-mIFN-gamma produced a high level of mIFN-gamma in mice. Cells inoculated with Ad5-mIFN-gamma restricted the replication of WEEV. A single-dose injection of Ad5mIFN-gamma delayed the WEEV infection and extended the survival time in mice. Conclusion: IFN-gamma restricts the WEEV infection.