Inhibition of Adenovirus Replication by l- -D-Arabinof uranosylcytosine.

The effect of 1-β-D-arabinofu-ranosylcytosine on replication of human adenovirus types 2, 7, and 12 in human embryonic kidney, KB, and HeLa cells was investigated. The results indicate that 10 μg/ml of ara-C inhibits replication of these adenoviruses in all 3 human cell types. Inhibition of synthesis of infectious virus ranged from 70 to greater than 99% when yields from infected cultures incubated in the presence of ara-C were compared to drug-free controls. Immunofluorescence studies of infected human embryonic kidney cells revealed that ara-C prevents synthesis of adenovirus viral antigens, but does not inhibit synthesis of adenovirus tumor antigens. However, appearance of the tumor antigen in the presence of ara-C was restricted to fleck- or fiber-like structures in contrast to the appearance of both flecks and globular masses in the absence of the drug.