Effect of interferon‐α on measles virus replication in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Abstract

Leopardi, R., Hyypia, T. & Vainionpaa, R. Effect of interferon-a on measles virus replication in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. APMIS 100: 125-1 3 1, 1992.We analyzed the effect of exogenous human leukocyte interferon (1FN)-a on measles virus (MV) replication in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The release of infectious virus was progressively reduced by increasing concentrations of IFN-a, and blocked with an IFN-a concentration of 1000 U/ml. In order to detect a possible target of this inhibitory effect, viral transcription and translation events were analyzed. The synthesis of MV mRNAs was reduced, but not blocked, in the presence of IFN-a. However, this effect was not specific on the viral RNAs, but due to a general inhibition of RNA synthesis in IFN-treated PBMC. The expression of viral polypeptides was also inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by exogenous IFN-a, but a low level of protein synthesis was detected by both Western blotting and immunofluorescence techniques, even with the maximum amount of IFN-a used (1000 U/ml). These findings account for a partial maintenance of the viral replicative cycle, even when the production of infectious virus is blocked. Moreover, the effect of IFN-a is not specifically targeted on the virus macromolecular synthesis.

Cell-Cell Fusion Induced by Measles Virus Amplifies the Type I Interferon Response

“…During natural infection, MeV infects lung epithelial cells and/or resident iDC in epithelia and mucosa and likely induces local IFN-␣/␤ production, which could limit MeV replication (45). Infected iDC can then migrate and disseminate the virus to the draining lymph nodes.…”

Gene expression patterns in dendritic cells infected with measles virus compared with other pathogens

“…The role of IFN in control of MV replication is unclear. Inhibition by MxA is cell-type-specific (24,25,34), and IFN has a limited ability to interfere with MV replication in PBMCs (31,35). Little infectious MV is produced during the first 1-3 d of DC infection, but, with maturation and T cell activation syncytia-formation, virus production and cell death are reported (10,13,36).…”

Epidemiology of measles in Blantyre, Malawi: analyses of passive surveillance data from 1996 to 1998

“…An increased level of interferon in a febrile child may interfere with the host immune response to vaccine virus [22]. The WHO recommendation to vaccinate even mildly febrile children may be justified in these settings, but could play a role in reducing measles VE.…”