Efficacy of genital T cell responses to herpes simplex virus type 2 resulting from immunization of the nasal mucosa

Virology. 2004 Jan 20;318(2):507-15. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2003.10.010.

Abstract

Intravaginal (ivag) or intranasal (i.n.) immunization of C57BL/6J (B6) mice with a thymidine kinase-deficient strain (tk-) of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) resulted in comparable protection of the genital epithelium and sensory ganglia against HSV-2 challenge. In contrast, protection of these sites was much reduced in i.n.-immunized compared to ivag-immunized B cell-deficient microMT mice. Fewer HSV-specific T cells were detected in the genital epithelium of i.n.-immunized compared to ivag-immunized microMT mice after HSV-2 challenge. Passive transfer of HSV-specific serum to immune microMT mice restored protection of these sites against HSV-2 challenge. These results suggest that protection of genital and neuronal sites may be conferred by i.n. immunization but may be more dependent on antibody-dependent mechanisms than the protection resulting from genital immunization. These results have implications for immunization strategies to elicit high levels of cell-mediated protection of the genital tract and sensory ganglia.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intranasal
  • Administration, Intravaginal
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / administration & dosage
  • Cell Count
  • Epithelium / immunology
  • Epithelium / virology
  • Female
  • Ganglia, Sensory / virology
  • Genitalia, Female / immunology*
  • Genitalia, Female / virology
  • Herpes Genitalis / immunology*
  • Herpes Genitalis / prevention & control
  • Herpes Genitalis / virology
  • Herpesvirus 2, Human / enzymology
  • Herpesvirus 2, Human / immunology*
  • Immunization, Passive*
  • Immunoglobulin mu-Chains / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Species Specificity
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Thymidine Kinase / deficiency
  • Vaccination*
  • Viral Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Viral Vaccines / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin mu-Chains
  • Viral Vaccines
  • Thymidine Kinase