Figure 2.

Interferon (IFN)-β 1a inhibition of SARS-CoV cytopathicity in Vero E-6 cells. Vero E-6 cells were infected with the Tor2 isolate of SARS-CoV and incubated for 72 h in the absence (left panel) or presence (right panel) of 500,000 IU of recombinant human IFN-β 1a. Cell rounding and detachment were prominent in the absence of IFN-β 1a. Minimal cell rounding or death was noted in the intact monolayer at 72 h postinoculation in the presence of IFN-β 1a (note: IFN-β 1a administered 1 h postinfection).