Antibody production and protection against influenza virus in immunodeficient mice

Abstract

The role of T [thymus-derived] and B[bone marrow-derived] cells in the immune response to influenza virus were studied by using mice deficient in T cells (athymic nude) or immunoglobulin production (CBA/N). The serological responses of these mice to whole or disrupted A/Aichi/2/68 influeneza virus vaccines were examined, and the protective effect of these inoculations was tested by challenge infection with mouse-adapted A/Aichi/2/68 influenza virus. In contrast to normal mice, neither strain of immunodeficient mouse produced detectable serum antibody after inoculation with either type of vaccine. CBA/N mice immunized with intact virus vaccine were protected against subsequent lethal challenge. CBA/N mice inoculated with disrupted virus vaccine and nude mice inoculated with disrupted or whole virus vaccine were not protected against viral challenge. Evidence of immunological memory was observed in CBA/N and nude mice that had survived live virus challenge after immunization with inactivated vaccine.