title: Role of histamine in natural killer cell-dependent protection against herpes simplex virus type 2 infection in mice.
abstract: Depletion of natural killer (NK) cells in vivo with anti-NK1.1 monoclonal antibody or anti-asialo-GM1 antiserum drastically reduced survival time in Swiss albino mice infected intravenously (i.v.) with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). In contrast, depletion of NK cells did not affect the survival time of mice inoculated with HSV-2 by the intraperitoneal route. A single dose of histamine prolonged survival time in animals inoculated with HSV-2 i.v. but not in animals infected intraperitoneally. Treatment with the histamine H2 receptor antagonist ranitidine alone reduced survival time in i.v.-infected animals and blocked the protective effect of histamine. Histamine or ranitidine did not affect survival time in anti-NK1.1- or anti-asialo-GM1-treated animals. Our data suggest a role for histaminergic mechanisms in NK cell-mediated protection against HSV-2.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Virology, University of Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hellstrand
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Asea
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hermodsson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D006632:Histamine / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D051379:Mice; D011899:Ranitidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D006632:Histamine; D011899:Ranitidine