Evaluation of Neuroimmunomodulatory Activity of Recombinant Human Interferon α

Abstract

Objective: Recombinant human interferon (rhIFN)-α is a potent immunoregulator having a wide range of therapeutic applications. In the present study, rhIFN-α was evaluated for its neuroimmunomodulatory activity. Method: Dose-dependent gene expression of cytokines and chemokines in the brain of rhIFN-administered mice was studied using real-time SYBR green PCR. Results: Statistically significant increase in expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and IFN-γ were observed. Conclusion: The findings indicate that rhIFN-α may be used at an optimized dose to cause appropriate neuromodulation of cytokine/chemokine secretion that can aid in the development of therapeutic approaches for many infectious diseases of the central nervous system for which therapies are lacking.

Exogenous interferon prolongs survival of rabies infected mice

“…Interferon, has been known to modify the immune response of the CNS-behaviourally as well as neurophysiologically [5,27] and our previous study has shown that exogenously administered rhIFN a can effectively modify cytokine expression in the brain [20]. Our results were similar to that reported by Tohamy et al, where pre treatment of mice with IFN, 24 h before infection delayed the onset of specific rabies signs [31].…”