Statolon-induced Resistance of Mice to Mengovirus

Abstract

Mice receiving statolon intraperitoneally were 1,000 times more resistant to intraperitoneal challenge with mengovirus than were untreated controls. Protection was afforded when statolon was administered 1 day before or 1 day after intraperitoneal inoculation with the virus. No therapeutic effect was observed when treatment with statolon was delayed for 2 days or more after virus infection. Exposure of mice to a simulated space cabin environment did not increase their susceptibility to the lethal effects of mengovirus infection or eliminate the protective effect of statolon.

Influence of Statolon on Resistance of Mice to Influenza

“…The studies described thus far have indicated that treatment with statolon at various times before or after infection with influenza virus had no demonstrable effect on the course of the ensuing disease. Inasmuch as these findings were contrary to the results from previous studies with intraperitoneally inoculated mengovirus (17,21,22), the following possible explanations of the present observations were postulated and studied. (i) The interferon-inducing potency of the statolon preparation may have been impaired; although the same preparation was used successfully in earlier experiments with mengovirus, some deterioration may have occurred during storage.…”

“…Based on the present knowledge of the broad spectrum of effectiveness of interferons against many unrelated viruses, and the effectiveness of statolon-induced interferon against other viruses (4,11,17,18,21,22), it would seem reasonable to expect that an injection of statolon might lead to a noticeable suppression of infection with influenza virus. Yet, in our experience, doses of statolon known to induce maximal titers of circulating interferon (11) failed to reduce the mortality of challenged mice, regardless of the time of the statolon treatment before or after infection ( Table 1).…”

“…Several groups of investigators have demonstrated that statolon, derived from cultures of Penicillium stoloniferum, is capable of inducing interferon both in tissue culture and in animals (9-12, 30). Prophylactic treatment with statolon has protected animals against lethal doses of several viruses (4,11,21,22). Its limited usefulness as a therapeutic agent also has been reported (17).…”

Mouse Resistance Against Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Induced by Injections of Pyran

“…Whereas viremia was absent in 65% of the mice pretreated with Freund's adjuvant, pyran pretreatment totally inhibited viremia ( Table 5). Similar inhibition was reported when statolon was injected 24 hr before aerosol challenge by Columbia SK virus (1) or ip Mengovirus injection (31,32).…”

Effect of Statolon-induced Interferon on Antibody Formation

“…The possible use of interferon inducers as attenuants for immunization with live virulent viruses is discussed. Parenteral administration of statolon or similar interferon inducers results in a considerable degree of refractoriness to infection with a number of unrelated viruses (7,(9)(10)(11)15). This type of protection is transient and, depending on the virus used, may be lost in from 6 to 30 days after treatment (7,11).…”