Herpes murine model as a biological assay to test dialyzable leukocyte extracts activity

J Immunol Res. 2015:2015:146305. doi: 10.1155/2015/146305. Epub 2015 Apr 23.

Abstract

Human dialyzable leukocyte extracts (DLEs) are heterogeneous mixtures of low-molecular-weight peptides that are released on disruption of peripheral blood leukocytes from healthy donors. DLEs improve clinical responses in infections, allergies, cancer, and immunodeficiencies. Transferon is a human DLE that has been registered as a hemoderivate by Mexican health authorities and commercialized nationally. To develop an animal model that could be used routinely as a quality control assay for Transferon, we standardized and validated a murine model of cutaneous HSV-1 infection. Using this model, we evaluated the activity of 27 Transferon batches. All batches improved the survival of HSV-1-infected mice, wherein average survival rose from 20.9% in control mice to 59.6% in Transferon-treated mice. The activity of Transferon correlated with increased serum levels of IFN-γ and reduced IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations. Our results demonstrate that (i) this mouse model of cutaneous herpes can be used to examine the activity of DLEs, such as Transferon; (ii) the assay can be used as a routine test for batch release; (iii) Transferon is produced with high homogeneity between batches; (iv) Transferon does not have direct virucidal, cytoprotective, or antireplicative effects; and (v) the protective effect of Transferon in vivo correlates with changes in serum cytokines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Assay
  • Cell Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Herpes Simplex / drug therapy*
  • Herpes Simplex / virology
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / drug effects*
  • Interferon-gamma / blood
  • Interleukin-6 / blood
  • Leukocytes / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Skin Diseases, Viral / drug therapy*
  • Skin Diseases, Viral / virology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / blood
  • Vero Cells

Substances

  • Cell Extracts
  • Interleukin-6
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Interferon-gamma