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. 2006:8:55-62.
doi: 10.1251/bpo118. Epub 2006 Jun 14.

Direct application of plasmid DNA containing type I interferon transgenes to vaginal mucosa inhibits HSV-2 mediated mortality

Bobbie Ann Austin  1 , Cassandra M James, Peter Härle, Daniel J J Carr
Affiliations

Direct application of plasmid DNA containing type I interferon transgenes to vaginal mucosa inhibits HSV-2 mediated mortality

Bobbie Ann Austin et al. Biol Proced Online. 2006.

Abstract

The application of naked DNA containing type I interferon (IFN) transgenes is a promising potential therapeutic approach for controlling chronic viral infections. Herein, we detail the application of this approach that has been extensively used to restrain ocular HSV-1 infection, for antagonizing vaginal HSV-2 infection. We show that application of IFN-alpha1, -alpha5, and -beta transgenes to vaginal mouse lumen 24 hours prior to HSV-2 infection reduces HSV-2 mediated mortality by 2.5 to 3-fold. However, other type I IFN transgenes (IFN- alpha4, -alpha5, -alpha6, and -alpha9) are non effectual against HSV-2. We further show that the efficacy of IFN-alpha1 transgene treatment is independent of CD4+ T lymphocytes. However, in mice depleted of CD8+ T lymphocytes, the ability of IFN-alpha1 transgene treatment to antagonize HSV-2 was lost.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. A comparison of cumulative survival of mice when treated with IFN-α1, -α5, and –β transgenes and with vector alone.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. The treatment of HSV-2 infected mice and cumulative survival and the impact of CD4+ T-lymphocyte depletion.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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