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Appl Environ Microbiol. 1968 October; 16(10): 1551-1556
Copyright © 1968 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Production of Interferon in Mice: Effect of Altered Gaseous Environments

Department of Microbiology, Naval Medical Research Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20014

ABSTRACT

Effects of altered gaseous environments (parabarosis) on interferon production in mice were studied, with Newcastle disease virus (NDV) as the inducer. Increased levels of interferon in lung tissue were observed when mice were exposed to 11% O₂ in N₂ for 3 days before and after, or only after, injection of NDV. However, serum interferon levels remained unchanged. Exposure of mice to 77% O₂ for up to 7 days did not affect the response to interferon induction as assayed in lungs or sera. Interferon levels were significantly depressed in mice exposed to a simulated depth of 213 ft in seawater [with normal partial pressure of O₂ (pO₂) in N₂] for 2 or 4 weeks. Whereas definite depression of interferon was also observed in mice maintained at a simulated altitude of 37,000 ft (with normal pO₂) for 2 weeks, those maintained at the same condition for 4 weeks showed a normal level of interferon. The results obtained with hypoxia are compatible with other reports on the influence of O₂ tension on viral infection. The factors responsible for alterations observed in interferon level in mice kept in normal pO₂, but under altered pressure, have not yet been identified.

¹ Present address: Department of Microbiology, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C. 20005. This research was conducted while the senior author held a National Research Council Postdoctoral Research Associateship.