Antibodies may act synergistically or additively with interferon to inhibit poliovirus

We investigated the protective effects of combinations of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and serum antibodies against poliovirus type 1 (PV-1) in vitro. Our results indicate that the antiviral effects of IFN-alpha and most neutralizing mAbs to PV-1 act synergistically to inhibit PV-1. However, the antiviral effects of IFN-alpha and one type specific mAb to PV-1 were additive. Further, the protective effects observed with combinations of IFN-alpha and rabbit, monkey or human serum containing effects observed with combinations strains Mahoney (Mah) and Sabin (Sab) were similar to those observed with combinations of IFN-alpha and mixtures of mAbs with synergistic and additive activities. Our studies suggest that the antiviral activity of neutralizing antibody acts with the antiviral activity of IFN to inhibit virus infection synergistically or additively and that the different antibody activities are associated with the mechanism of neutralization.