Potential screening assay for undetectable viruses on the basis of their capacity to induce alpha interferon production.

ABSTRACT: High interferon production by plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDC) was unexpectedly noted after their coculture with CD4(+) cells from a healthy donor whose cells subsequently showed human herpesvirus type 6 and 7 infections. This release of interferon was not observed with uninfected normal CD4(+) cells. Induction of PDC interferon production could help screen for covert virus infections.

SUBMITTER: Schmidt B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC516323 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature