EFFECT OF CORTISONE ON GENETIC RESISTANCE TO MOUSE HEPATITIS VIRUS IN VIVO AND IN VITRO

Abstract
Genetically resistant mice became susceptible to mouse hepatitis virus when treated with cortisone. Macrophage cultures obtained from the resistant mice were resistant in vitro, but became susceptible when treated in vitro with 0.25 to 10 [gamma] of cortisone. Cultures of liver from genetically resistant mice, grown in 90 per cent horse serum and then treated with cortisone, showed increased liver cell parenchymal outgrowth and differentiation. The susceptibility of these cultures was greatly increased so that both macrophages and differentiated liver parenchyma were destroyed.