Application of antisera to interferon in studying oncogenic viruses.

Susceptibility of BALB/c mice to infection with Moloney sarcoma virus (MSV) and to Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) was considerably increased by administration of sheep anti-mouse interferon (anti-IF) serum. The regression of the MSV-induced tumors was inhibited when the weanling (three-to-four-week-old) mice were injected with the anti-IF serum. Using the anti-IF serum it has been found that the antagonism between HSV-2 and Rauscher leukemia virus in the mouse is not mediated by interferon. It is suggested that interferon is an important factor controlling growth of virus and/or virus induced tumor cells in the mouse before it develops a strong immunological response.