Antiviral antibodies attenuate T-cell-mediated immunopathology following acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection.

The role of antiviral antibody in resistance to acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection has been examined by passive transfer of monoclonal antibodies and intracerebral challenge infection. Protection of mice from lethal T-cell-mediated acute disease was observed following passive administration of antibodies either 1 day before or up to 2 days after infection. Viral replication was suppressed in protected mice, and the cytotoxic T-cell response to virus was also diminished. Virus was cleared from the brain and other tissues of protected mice without development of lethal immunopathology, suggesting that preexisting antibody may play a significant role in modulating potentially destructive effects of T-cell-mediated immune responses to pathogens.