Maintenance and Recovery of the Interferon-lnduced Antiviral State

Summary The antiviral state in CEF decays rapidly after the removal of interferon. Inhibition of cell protein synthesis by cyclo-heximide prevents this decay. Even after the decay of the antiviral state the addition of cycloheximide to the cells is followed by recovery of antiviral activity. The treatment by cycloheximide does not act by increasing the direct antiviral effect of various concentrations of interferon but rather by blocking the synthesis of a postulated regulatory protein which could reversibly inactivate the antiviral protein or its expression. We thank Professors C. Chany and A. Kirn for constant interest and advice, Carol Girard for help in the preparation of the manuscript, and Suzanne Thouault for technical assistance. This study was supported by a grant from D.R.M.E.