[Induction of immune interferon by erythrogenic toxins A and B from Streptococcus pyogenes]

By interaction of streptococcal erythrogenic toxins A and B with chick embryo fibroblasts and human amnion (FL) cells an antiviral interferon-like factor was secreted. It inhibited the replication of vesicular stomatitis, vaccinia and Mengo viruses. The streptococcal toxin type B was 50 times more cytotoxic for both cell cultures in comparison with streptococcal toxin A. The maximum tolerated doses of the two types of streptococcal toxins induced approximately the same antiviral protection effect. The production curve of the antiviral factor showed a maximum at the 12th hour after incubation at 37 degrees C with graduate decrease up to the 24th hour using a 6 hours induction time. The interferons induced by the streptococcal erythrogenic toxins A and B were thermostable at 56 degrees C for 30 min and were partially destroyed at pH 2 as tested against Mengo virus in FL cells. The antiviral effect could be reversed by addition of streptococcal erythrogenic toxin A at the maximum tolerated dose simultaneously with the glycosylating inhibitors streptovirudin and D-glucosamine by 90 and 100 per cent, respectively.