Inhibitory effect of glucocorticoid hormones on the growth of Inoue-Melnick virus.

Glucocorticoid hormones inhibited the early stage of propagation of Inoue-Melnick virus in a dose-dependent manner in human diploid cell cultures. Prednisolone and hydrocortisone achieved complete inhibition of replication of the three Inoue-Melnick virus serotypes at concentrations of 0.2 X 10(-4) and 10(-5) M, respectively; strong inhibition was found even at 10(-5) and 10(-6) M, respectively. The steroid hormones did not show a direct effect on the virus.