968 LYSIS OF VARICELLA ZOSTER VIRUS (VZV) INFECTED CELLS BY ANTIBODY-DEPENDENT CELLULAR CYTOTOXICITY (ADCC)

Abstract

Human foreskin fibroblasts acutely infected with VZV were exposed to VZV antibody-positive human serum and human mononuclear cells (MC) in a 6-hr ⁵¹Cr release assay. Specific lysis could be detected by 60 min and was proportional to the effector cell:target cell ratio. The reaction was temperature dependent, proceeding optimally at 37°C. Only VZV antibody-positive serum mediated the reaction, and uninfected targets were not lysed. MC alone had little or no lytic activity. Median antibody titers of 1000 were noted in the serum of normal adults without a history of zoster. The antibody was of the IgG class as indicated by its adsorption with S. aureus containing protein A, its presence in high titer in immune serum globulin and zoster immune globulin, and its quantitative placental transfer. A requirement for effector cell IgG-Fc receptors was shown by blocking of ADCC by protein A and inhibition of effector cell activity by heat-aggregated gamma globulin. Lymphocytes were more effective as killer cells than were monocytes or polyorphonuclear leukocytes. ADCC was able to lyse cells earlier in the VZV infectious cycle than antibody-dependent complement-mediated lysis. These results are the first demonstration of ADCC against VZV-infected cells and suggest a mechanism whereby IgG antibody aids in prophylaxis of infection or reduces the severity of exogenous reinfection.

Log in or create a free account to read this content

Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com

Access through your institution

or

Sign in or create an account

Continue with Google

Continue with ORCiD