Interaction between polymorphonuclear leukocytes and varicella-zoster virus-infected cells.

The addition of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) to human fibroblasts infected with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) resulted in a reduced virus yield. The reduction was greater when antibodies specific for VZV were added to the system. Addition of VZV-specific antibodies without PMNL also reduced virus yield, but a 10-fold greater concentration of antibodies was required to effect the same reduction. PMNL adhered to and formed rosettes around VZV-infected cells. By electron microscopy, it was possible to observe activation of PMNL incubated with VZV-infected fibroblasts. Activated PMNL extended cytoplasmic projections toward virions and had vacuoles containing virions in various stages of digestion.