Jpn.J.Infect.Dis., 52, 45-48, 1999

Short Communication

IL-1, EGF, and HGF Suppress the Antiviral Activity of Interferon in Primary Monkey Hepatic Parenchymal Cells

Toshio Takahara, Yasuhiro Fukuyama, Sakura Saito, Toshio Ogino, Naoko Miyajima and Masayoshi Kohase*

Laboratory of Cytokines, Department of Viral Disease and Vaccine Control, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1 Musashimurayama-shi, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan

(Received January 25, 1999. Accepted March 15, 1999)

SUMMARY : The purpose of this study was to elucidate the mechanism behind low efficacy of interferon therapy to hepatitis C virus infected patients by using primary monkey hepatic parenchymal cells as a surrogate of primary human liver cells. The effects of various cytokines on the antiviral activity of IFNs in the monkey hepatic cells were studied to search for physiological inhibitors. Interleukin-1 alpha, EGF, and HGF showed suppressive effects on the antiviral activity of IFN-alpha, -beta in primary monkey hepatic cells when examined by the yield reduction method using vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). In contrast, 50ng/ml of TNF and IL-6 had no suppressive effect on the IFN-induced antiviral state in the hepatic cells.

* Corresponding author: Fax/Tel:+81-425-67-5631, 
     e-mail: kohase@nih.go.jp

Go to JJID homepage                              Go to JJID 52(2)