RT-PCR analysis of IFN- and IFN-β mRNA levels in the spleen of mice treated with CTX or poly (I:C).

Seven-week-old DBA/2 mice were treated intraperitoneally with CTX (83 mg/kg, Δ, and 150 mg/kg, □); poly (I:C) (0.15 mg/mouse), ○; or saline, •. After 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours, mice were killed, and total spleen RNA was isolated and assayed for the presence of IFN-α and IFN-β mRNAs by RT-PCR as described in “Materials and methods.” Reaction products were run on 1% agarose gel in the presence of molecular markers (not shown). Values represent the mean ± SE of 3 mice per group. (A) Each band corresponds to a single mouse spleen. Densitometric values of ethidium bromide–stained bands, expressed as absorbance units (OD) and normalized to the control values, are reported, (B) for IFN-α mRNAs and (C) for IFN-β mRNAs. (D) Spleen weight of mice treated as above was measured 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after treatment.