Interferon effects on herpes simplex virus in rabbit and human cell cultures

The effects of four subtypes of recombinant human alpha interferon (RIFN alpha), (A,B,D, and the hybrid A/D) were tested on six strains of herpes simplex virus (HSV). RIFN alpha -D was the most effective subtype in rabbit kidney cells, which is consistent with our previous in vivo results in the rabbit herpetic keratitis model. In human corneal cells, however, RIFN alpha -D was one of the least effective IFN subtypes tested. Conversely, RIFN alpha-A appeared to be relatively more effective in the human corneal cells than in the rabbit kidney cells, but RIFN alpha -B and RIFN alpha -A/D were the most effective interferon subtypes in human corneal cells. Different strains of HSV had different susceptibilities to the various IFN subtypes tested.