SUPPRESSED INDUCTION OF 2-5AS IN CELLS WITH HTLV-I IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE FLUCTUATION OF IFN-RECEPTOR, IFN-REGULATORY FACTORS (IRF-1 AND IRF-2) OR STAT-1-ALPHA

Some viruses seem to be capable of suppressing interferon (IFN)-induce d 2', 5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (2-5AS) induction. Cells infected w ith human T-lymphotropic virus type-I (HTLV-I) show different natures for the constitutive production of IFN-gamma or sensitivity to IFN, Po or induction of 2-5AS was found in IFN-gamma producer cells carrying H TLV-I (MT-1, MT-2 and SMT-1). On the other hand, in non- or low-produc ing cell lines of IFN-gamma such as HUT102 and OKM-2, significant acti vity of 2-5AS was induced by treatment with IFN-alpha. A satisfactory level of IFN receptor was detectable in SMT-1 cells in spite of the po or induction of 2-5AS, There were no differences in either the interfe ron regulatory factor-2 (IRF-2) mRNA transcript or the level of STAT-1 alpha between SMT-1 and HUT102 cells, However, the transcription of I RF-1 mRNA was slightly reduced in SMT-1 cells as compared with that of HUT102 cells.