Replication-defective virus vaccine-induced protection of mice from genital herpes simplex virus 2 requires CD4 T cells.
Replication-defective herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2), used as an immunization strategy, protects against HSV-2 challenge in animal models. The roles of replication-defective virus-induced T cell subsets in control of HSV-2 infection have not been established. Mice lacking B cells (microMT) were immunized, depleted of CD4 or CD8 T cells, and then challenged intravaginally with HSV-2 to elucidate T cell subset contributions in the absence of virus-specific antibody. Immunized, CD4-depleted microMT mice developed severe infection of the genital tract and nervous system. In contrast, depletion of CD8 T cells from microMT mice did not attenuate protection. Immunized wild-type mice depleted of CD4 T cells also developed more severe HSV-2 infection than mice from which CD8 T cells were depleted. Thus, immunization with replication-defective virus induces T cell responses that effectively control HSV-2 infection in the absence of HSV-immune antibody, and CD4 T cells play the predominant role in this protective effect.
Morrison
Lynda A
LA
Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1100 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63104, USA. morrisla@slu.edu
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000821:virology; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000821:virology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005835:Genitalia / Q000821:virology; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D022283:Herpesvirus Vaccines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000821:virology; D016019:Survival Analysis; D010948:Viral Plaque Assay; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000235:genetics*
D022283:Herpesvirus Vaccines