NOVEL MECHANISM FOR INDUCTION OF INTERFERON BY VISNA LENTIVIRUSES: POSSIBLE ROLE OF THE INTERFERON IN RESTRICTED 'SLOW' REPLICATION AND CHRONIC DISEASE

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1987. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

NOVEL MECHANISM FOR INDUCTION OF INTERFERON BY VISNA LENTIVIRUSES: POSSIBLE ROLE OF THE INTERFERON IN RESTRICTED 'SLOW' REPLICATION AND CHRONIC DISEASE

Animal Models of Retrovirus Infection and Their Relationship to AIDS. Salzman LA, ed. Orlando, Florida, Academic Press, p. 355-66, 1986.. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/87629287
Narayan O; Dept. of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Univ. Sch. of Medicine,; Baltimore, MD

Abstract: Lentiviruses are nononcogenic retroviruses that cause slowly progressive diseases after unusually long incubation periods. Visna-maedi virus of sheep and caprine-arthritis-encephalitis (CAE) virus of goats are prototypes of this group of agents and cause paralysis, pneumonia, arthritis, and mastitis months to years after initial infection. Visna virus shares genetic sequences with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) lentivirus of humans and has several parallels in virus host interactions, such as dissemination by exchange of body fluids, persistent infections, poor neutralizing antibody responses against the viruses, and antigenic variability of the viruses. Although cell cultures infected with retroviruses do not produce interferon (IFN), the author considers viruses of the ruminant lentivirus subgroup to be IFN-inducing candidates because these viruses replicate productively in cell cultures, whereas in their animal hosts they cause persistent infections and replicate at a restricted level for an indefinite period in cells of the macrophage lineage. It is shown that these lentiviruses do indeed induce an IFN but that production occurred only during interaction between infected macrophages and lymphocytes. Further, the induced IFN was effective (1) in restricting replication in macrophage cultures, (2) in prevention of maturation of monocytes to macrophages, and (3) in prevention of lentivirus-induced fusion of cell cultures. (30 Refs)

Keywords: Animal Cells, Cultured Goats Interferon Inducers/PHYSIOLOGY Interferons/*BIOSYNTHESIS Lymphocytes/METABOLISM/MICROBIOLOGY Macrophages/METABOLISM/MICROBIOLOGY Sheep Virus Replication/DRUG EFFECTS Visna-Maedi Virus/*PHYSIOLOGY MONOGRAPH

870430
M8740283

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gill Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1987. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1987. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .