Summary
Recombinant equine interferon-β1 (reqifn-β1) induces an antiviral state in blood mononuclear cells (bmc) of horses. Maximal protection against replication of vesicular stomatitis virus is achieved 6 hours after treatment with ifn in vitro and in vivo. Duration of the protective effect depends on the dose of ifn in vitro and in vivo. Availability of reqifn-β1 in cultures of bmc for up to 48 hours does not prolong the antiviral state. The protective effect on bmc after treatment with ifn has similar duration in vivo and in vitro. Monitoring of the effect of ifn in vivo is, thus, simplified because the antiviral state may be recorded by testing cells twice (ie, before and 6 hours after application of interferon). All further tests may be performed in vitro.
Multiple administrations of reqifn-β1 do not prolong duration of the protective phases after each administration. Duration of the antiviral state depends only on the dose of reqifn-β1.
