Antiviral Activity of a Novel Recombinant Human Interferon-αB/D Hybrid

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Abstract
The antiviral potential of a novel cross-species active, recombinant human interferon-αB/D hybrid (rHuIFN-αB/D), was evaluated for its efficiacy in cultured human monocytes and in several murine models of viral disease. When examined in 14-day-old human monocyte cultures, rHuIFN-αB/D was highly effective in preventing viral replication and cell destruction caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1/VR3). The effect observed with 100 units of this hybrid IFN was as good or higher than that observed with equivalent amounts of rHuIFN-αA or IFN-γ. In addition, a single dose (5 × 107 U/kg) of rHuIFN-αB/D administered several hours after intranasal infection with HSV-1/ VR3 suppressed pulmonary virus replication and prevented death due to interstitial pneumonia. Similarly, mice infected with a more aggressive strain of HSV-1 (McIntyre) were protected when this IFN preparation was administered at the time of virus infection and 1 day later. The anti-retroviral activity of rHuIFN-αB/D was examined in two murine leukemia retroviral models, Rauscher (RMLV) and Friend (FMLV), and a murine model of acquired immunodeficiency (LP-BMS). Treatment of RMLV or FMLV infected mice significantly prolonged mean survival times and the number of long-term FMLV survivors. These therapeutic effects were demonstrated when IFN was administered on the day of virus infection or as late as 3 days following infection. Transient reversal of the immunosuppressive effects induced by LP-BM5 infection was observed when rHuIFN-αB/D treatment was initiated at the time of virus infection. Moreover, when rHuIFN-αB/D was used together with azidothymidine (AZT), the effect of the combination was better than either drug alone.