Antibody-dependent cellular protection against herpes simplex virus dissemination as revealed by viral plauqe and infectivity assays

Abstract

Mouse nonimmune peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) plus antibody to herpes simplex virus inhibited virus dissemination in herpes simplex virus-infected [mouse fibroblast] 3T3 cell culture as revealed by development of viral plaque, size of immunofluorescent foci, appearance of polycaryocytes and viral infectivity appearing in the culture. These nonimmune PBL did not act alone in inhibiting virus dissemination, but did act synergistically in combination with antibody. The ratio of PBL to target monolayer cells needed to produce this effect was 20. Splenic lymphocytes had weak activity; thymocytes were without effect, even in the presence of antibody. Neither interferon nor lymphotoxin was detected in this lymphocyte-mediated response. These findings support previous observations, based on cytotoxicity assays, that antibody-dependent cellular immune processes could be important in control of and recovery from herpesvirus infection.