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 language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 5558-5562 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |
| Volume | 87 |
| Issue number | 14 |
| State | Published - 1990 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine and interferon α combination therapy
- Cellular immunity
- Postexposure prophylaxis
- Rauscher murine leukemia virus