Interferon Induction by Rhinoviruses and Effect of Interferon on Rhinovirus Yields in Human Cell Lines 1

Summary

Rhinovirus serotypes 13, 14, and 20 did not induce detectable levels of interferon in HeLa, KB, or L-132 cells following challenge with infectious, uv-in-activated, or heat-inactivated virus preparations. HeLa cell cultures incubated with interferon prior to challenge with the three rhinovirus serotypes also failed to produce interferon. No resistance to VSV plaque formation was induced in HeLa cell cultures previously challenged with uv- or heat-inactivated lysates of the three rhinovirus serotypes. Replication of the three rhinovirus serotypes in HeLa cell cultures was inhibited by the action of interferon with an order of sensitivity being RV13 < RV14 < RV20.

The authors thank Maria O. Cline for her technical assistance and Dr. George B. Olsen for criticisms and comments of the manuscript.

Note added in proof: A recent report showed that rhinovirus serotype 2 induced very low levels of interferon in HeLa cells and replication of this virus was reduced by interferon in HeLa cells but less so than replication of VSV under similar circumstances. M. Fiala, Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 140, 1185 (1972).