Production of interferon in mice: effect of altered gaseous environments

Enhancement of bacterial infections in mice by newcastle disease virus

This report describes an attempt to define the factors which incite secondary bacterial pneumonias. Groups of mice were given bacteria intraperitoneally and, at various intervals, Newcastle disease virus intravenously. There was an increase in the number of deaths and in the rates of death in these groups, when compared with a control group which was given only bacteria. These results were obtained with Streptococcus pneumoniae (Diplococcus pneumoniae), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella enteritidis ser. typhimurium. Newcastle disease virus increased the mortality rate of mice with bacterial infections when the two agents were given within 24 hr.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and liver transplantation

Liver transplantation is the treatment of choice for end stage liver disease and is often used for primary liver malignancies. The main limitation of its wider application is the availability of suitable donor organs. The use of marginal donor organs, split-liver transplantation and living-related liver transplantation techniques contribute to increase the donor pool. However, the use of these techniques is associated with a higher risk of post transplantation organ dysfunction, predominantly due to ischaemia, preservation and reperfusion injury (IPRI). A number of studies have demonstrated that hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy influences IPRI and consequential acute cellular rejection. This article reviews the rationale of HBO therapy in the field of transplantation with particular emphasis on liver transplantation.

Enhancement of phagocytosis by interferon-containing preparations

Exposure of mononuclear cells from the mouse peritoneal cavity to interferon (IF)-containing mouse sera enhanced phagocytosis of colloidal carbon particles by the cells. The same effect was observed when the cells were exposed to IF-containing cell culture harvest free of serum. The magnitude of this effect of IF-containing preparations paralleled the titer of IF and was not related to the dilution of various IF-containing serum specimens tested. The factor responsible for the enhancing effect was stable at pH 2, inactivated by trypsin, and nonsedimentable at 105,000 x g. Heating at 60 C for 1 hr destroyed it, and its kinetics of heat inactivation paralleled that of the antiviral activity of IF. A period of incubation of phagocytic cells with IF-containing serum was necessary before a maximum level of enhancement was reached, and once established was not removable by repeated washing of cells. The kinetics of the production of the enhancing factor in mice injected with Newcastle disease virus was essentially identical to that of the simultaneous production of IF as measured by antiviral activity. Contrary to the effect of mouse IF preparations, human IF preparation did not enhance the activity of mouse phagocytes. It appears, therefore, that the phagocytosis-enhancing factor falls within the present definition of IF.

Enhancement of the lethal effects of endotoxins by interferon inducers

Prior treatment of mice with poly I:C or NDV enhanced the lethal effect of E. coli or B. dermatitidis endotoxins.