Vaccination with a live retro virus: The nature of the protective immune response

Ruth M. Ruprecht, Steve Mullaney, Lisa D. Bernard, Miguel A. Gama Sosa, Richard C. Hom, Robert W. Finberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

We tested 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (zidovudine) combined with interferon α as chemoprophylaxis after exposing mice to Rauscher murine leukemia virus. Therapy started 4 hr after inoculation and administered for 20 days prevented viremia and disease in all 234 mice tested. When the animals were rechallenged with live virus after cessation of therapy, 96% were resistant. The nature of this protective immune response was analyzed: Passive serotherapy of naive mice challenged subsequently with Rauscher murine leukemia virus was only protective at a high dose of immune serum. Immune, but not naive, T cells alone were fully protective against virus challenge. We conclude that vaccination with a live retrovirus that cannot replicate because of pharmacological blockade induces a T-cell response capable of protecting against a lethal retrovirus-induced disease.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5558-5562
Number of pages5
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume87
Issue number14
StatePublished - 1990
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine and interferon α combination therapy
  • Cellular immunity
  • Postexposure prophylaxis
  • Rauscher murine leukemia virus

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