Post-exposure vaccination improves gammaherpesvirus neutralization

PLoS One. 2007 Sep 19;2(9):e899. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0000899.

Abstract

Herpesvirus carriers transmit infection despite making virus-specific antibodies. Thus, their antibody responses are not necessarily optimal. An important question for infection control is whether vaccinating carriers might improve virus neutralization. The antibody response to murine gamma-herpesvirus-68 (MHV-68) blocks cell binding, but fails to block and even enhances an IgG Fc receptor-dependent infection of myeloid cells. Viral membrane fusion therefore remains intact. Although gH/gL-specific monoclonal antibodies can block infection at a post-binding step close to membrane fusion, gH/gL is a relatively minor antibody target in virus carriers. We show here that gH/gL-specific antibodies can block both Fc receptor-independent and Fc receptor-dependent infections, and that vaccinating virus carriers with a gH/gL fusion protein improves their capacity for virus neutralization both in vitro and in vivo. This approach has the potential to reduce herpesvirus transmission.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology*
  • Cell Line
  • Cricetinae
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gammaherpesvirinae / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Viral Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Viral Vaccines / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Viral Vaccines