Glycoprotein gB of herpes simplex virus expresses type-common and type-specific antigenic determinants in vivo.

Four monoclonal antibodies directed against glycoprotein B of herpes simplex virus were evaluated for their ability to immunize mice passively against acute virus-induced neurological illness and death when administered intraperitoneally 2 hours prior to footpad challenge with type 1 or type 2 virus. Two monoclonal antibodies, H120 and H157, failed to reduce the severity of neurological disease in infected animals. In contrast, H233 and H368 antibodies provided significant protection in type-common and type-specific fashions, respectively. A direct correlation was observed between in vitro neutralization and in vivo protection. These results provide the first in vivo evidence that glycoprotein gB of herpes simplex virus expresses both type-common and type-specific determinants during the evolution of acute virus-induced neurological disease.