Antiviral effects of human fibroblast interferon from Escherichia coli against encephalomyocarditis virus infection of squirrel monkeys.

Recombinant DNA methodology has allowed the production of human fibroblast interferon (IFN-beta) from Escherichia coli and this material, in highly purified form, has been shown to reduce viraemia and mortality in encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus-infected squirrel monkeys. These effects are dose related: six treatments over 4 days at 10(6) U/kg and 3 x 10(3) U/kg have comparable efficacy, whereas treatments at 10(3) U/kg are ineffective. The recombinant DNA-derived IFN-beta appears to be as effective as natural fibroblast cell-derived IFN-beta and both materials are effective by the intramuscular or intravenous routes. Thus, even though previous studies have shown that low circulating concentrations of IFN-beta are observed after intramuscular injections, the present data indicate that this slow release from the muscle can still confer protection.