IgG-Mediated Viral Clearance in Experimental Infection with Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1: Role for Neutralization and Fe-Dependent Functions but not C' Cytolysis and C5 Chemotaxis

Abstract

For determination of whether the Fe moiety is required for antibody effectiveness in models of herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-I) infection, the effects of immune IgG and Flab′)₂, fragments were compared by using a passive transfer model of footpad infection. In the IgG- and the F(ab′)₂-treated groups illness developed in 2 (10%) of 20 and 6 (25%) of 24 mice, respectively, compared with 10 (63%) of 16controls. IgG treatment markedly, and Flab′)₂, treatment moderately, reduced footpad viral titer and viral spread to sciatic nerve and spinal cord. The marked viral clearance by IgG was not attributable to C′-dependent lysis because rapid viral clearance was observed in C5-deficient B10.D2/oSn mice. Viral latency as a consequence of acute infection occurred in 38 (63%) of 60 lumbosacral dorsal root ganglia in the control group, 5 (8%; P < .001) of 60 in the IgGtreated group, and 26 (33%; P < .01) of 78 in the F(ab'h-treated group.