Cell-mediated cytotoxicity of bovine mononuclear cells to IBRV-infected cells: dependence on Sephadex G-10 adherent cells.

Following intranasal inoculation of cattle with infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV) mononuclear cells that produced a genetically unrestricted cytotoxic response against IBRV-infected, but not against uninfected cells, were present in peripheral blood. Cytotoxicity was detected between 6 and 14 days after primary infection in a 20 h, but not in a 5 h, 51Cr-release assay. Cytotoxic activity was present in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from infected and subsequently hyperimmunized cattle for a considerably longer time. Neither natural cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity, nor antibody produced during the assay was responsible for the cytotoxicity. However, cytotoxicity was dependent upon an adherent mononuclear cell that was partially removed by passage over nylon wool and completely removed by passage over Sephadex G-10.