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. 1993 Nov 1;178(5):1725–1732. doi: 10.1084/jem.178.5.1725

Response to influenza infection in mice with a targeted disruption in the interferon gamma gene

PMCID: PMC2191239  PMID: 8228818

Abstract

Interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) is a pleiotropic cytokine secreted by T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells and has been noted to be a first line of host defense in the control of viral infections. To examine further the role of this cytokine in the control of viral infections, mice with a targeted mutation in the IFN-gamma gene were infected with influenza virus, and the in vivo antibody and cell- mediated immune response to viral infection were examined. In addition, cell lines and clones were derived from the immunized animals and the in vitro cytokine production and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response were analyzed. The absence of IFN-gamma led to increased production of influenza-specific IgG1, IL-4, and IL-5 as compared to wild-type littermate control animals. In contrast, there was no difference noted in the development of an effective CTL response between IFN-gamma- deficient and wild-type animals. In this model of experimental influenza infection, IFN-gamma is not necessary for the development of an effective humoral or cellular immune response to challenge with this respiratory virus.

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Selected References

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