THE INTERFERON SYSTEM. A NEW ASSAY AND ITS CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

Prevention of viral replication is a major function of the Interferon (IF) system in man, and can be divided into 2 phases. Firstly, the production of IF by cells following stimulation by any of a number of inducers, including viruses; and secondly, the action of this IF on other cells, leading to the production of anti-viral proteins which become activated when a virus enters the cell, thereby preventing replication of the virus. We have developed an assay system which simultaneously examines the blood IF, the ability of mononuclear cells to produce both type I and type II IF, and whether the cells have been primed into an anti-viral state. Further this assay will show whether in the absence of in vivo cell protection from viral replication, extrinsic IF is able to prime the anti-viral state and at what dosage level. Our studies show that healthy children and adults have virtually no IF in the blood, that their mononuclear cells produce both types I and II IF in high titre when stimulated, and that their cells will promote good viral replication which can be inhibited with extrinsic IF. On the other hand children with suspected viral disease have good blood IF levels, their IF production by mononuclear cells is somewhat suppressed, and their cells will not promote viral replication indicating a good anti-viral state. Pharmacodynamic IF studies on patients with severe viral infections receiving IF therapy indicate the importance of this combined assay, and in particular the value of determining the anti-viral state of the patient's cells.

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