Natural Killer Cells Are Not Required for Interferon-mediated Prophylaxis Against Vaccinia or Murine Cytomegalovirus Infections

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Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell-depleted or control mice were treated prophylactically with polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (polyI:polyC) or purified beta interferon (IFN) and then infected with either vaccinia virus or murine cytomegalovirus. NK cell depletion alone enhanced virus titres in the spleen and peritoneal cavity. However, poly I:polyC and IFN inhibited virus replication equally well in control and NK cell-depleted mice. This suggests that prophylactic IFN treatment mediates antiviral effects independently of NK cells.