[Abstract]  [Full Text]  [PDF]

Bobbie Ann Austin¹, Cassandra M. James², Peter Härle³ and Daniel J.J. Carr^4*

¹ Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Oklahoma City, OK. USA.
² Division of Veterinary & Biomedical Health Science, Murdoch University. Perth. Australia 6150.
³ Laboratory of Neuroendocrinoimmunology, University Medical Center. Regensburg. Germany 93053.
⁴ Departments of Ophthalmology and Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Oklahoma City, OK. USA.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed: Daniel J.J. Carr, Departments of Ophthalmology and Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Oklahoma City, OK. USA. Email: dan-carr@ouhsc.edu

Biol. Proced. Online 2006;8:55-62. doi:10.1251/bpo118
Submitted: November 14, 2005; Accepted: May 17, 2006; Published: June 14, 2006.

Indexing terms: Virus; Interferon; T-lymphocyte; Transgene.

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-α1, -α5, and –β 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- α4, -α5, -α6, and –α9) are non effectual against HSV-2. We further show that the efficacy of IFN-α1 transgene treatment is independent of CD4+ T lymphocytes. However, in mice depleted of CD8+ T lymphocytes, the ability of IFN-α1 transgene treatment to antagonize HSV-2 was lost.