Production of cell-mediated immune response to herpes simplex virus by immunization with anti-idiotypic heteroantisera.

Three BALB/c monoclonal antibodies capable of neutralizing herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) were used to prepare rabbit anti-idiotypic antisera. Affinity-purified antibodies from four of these rabbits were used to immunize mice by repeated subcutaneous injection over a period of 6 to 7 weeks: the mice were then challenged with HSV-1 subcutaneously in the ear pinna. Measurement of ear swelling showed that prior administration of anti-idiotypic serum could generate dose-dependent delayed-type hypersensitivity responses.