Protective vaccination against genital herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection in mice is associated with a rapid induction of local IFN-gamma-dependent RANTES production following a vaginal viral challenge.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the production of the CC chemokines RANTES. MCP-1, and MlP-1alpha in the vaginal mucosa following HSV-2 challenge in vaccinated and unvaccinated mice.


METHODS
The concentrations of the chemokines were determined in the vagina of HSV-2-vaccinated as well as unvaccinated mice after HSV-2 challenge using a PERFEXT method combined with ELISA.


RESULTS
HSV-2 infection did not induce any measurable levels of MIP-1alpha, whereas high levels of RANTES and MCP-1 were detected in unvaccinated animals at 48 hr post challenge. The vaccinated mice developed a more rapid induction of RANTES, but not of MCP-1, appearing as early as 24 hr post challenge. The local induction of RANTES production was preceded by a vaginal IFN-gamma response. Furthermore, vaccinated IFN-gamma-/- mice did not produce any enhanced levels of RANTES following HSV-2 challenge.


CONCLUSIONS
The protective immune response against genital HSV-2 infection is associated with a rapid induction of local IFN-gamma-dependent RANTES production.
Harandi
A M
AM
Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Göteborg University, Sweden.
Svennerholm
B
B
Holmgren
J
J
Eriksson
K
K
D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D054405:Chemokine CCL3; D054407:Chemokine CCL4; D018946:Chemokine CCL5 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology*; D019402:Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D014611:Vaccination; D014621:Vagina / Q000276:immunology; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*
D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D054405:Chemokine CCL3; D054407:Chemokine CCL4; D018946:Chemokine CCL5; D019402:Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins; D014765:Viral Vaccines; D007371:Interferon-gamma