Effects of human and murine interferons against hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) virus (Hantaan virus).

The effects of human interferons (IFN-alpha, IFN-beta, IFN-gamma) on the replication of Hantaan virus (HV) in Vero E6 cells were examined. Pretreatment of cells with human IFNs resulted in dose-dependent inhibition of HV plaque formation. Of the 3 human IFNs, IFN-beta inhibited virus replication most effectively. Pretreatment of murine macrophage cells with mouse IFN-beta also resulted in an inhibition of viral growth and then the effect of murine IFN-beta in newborn ICR mice infected with HV was also examined. When newborn mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with HV, their survival rate was approximately 20%. When they were treated with interferon 6 h before infection with virus, their survival rate was 85-90%. When IFN and virus were injected simultaneously into the intraperitoneal cavity, the survival rate of the mice was also higher than that of untreated mice. When the mice were treated with IFN for 2 or 7 consecutive days after infection, their survival rate was 70%. These results suggest that IFN may be effective for both prophylactic and therapeutic purposes in Hantaan virus infection.