Antivirus antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity during murine cytomegalovirus infection

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Abstract
BALB/c mice infected with murine cytomegalovirus were studied to determine whether antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity [ADCC] contributes to the immune control of this infection. Antibody-dependent killer cells from uninfected mice were used as effector cells to assay for antibody in sera of infected mice. Secondary immune sera contained cytomegalovirus-specific and autoreactive antibodies. After primary infection only cytomegalovirus-specific antibodies were found. These were detected by ADCC within 8-10 days after onset of infection, but usually not until day 21, by a neutralizing antibody assay. Antibody titers were about 10-fold higher by ADCC than by neutralization. Cellular immunity to cytomegalovirus infection includes an ADCC response which is likely to be highly efficient and may contribute significantly to control of acute and later stages of infection.