Dependence on antibody for induction of chemiluminescence in polymorphonuclear leukocytes by herpes simplex virus.

The induction of luminol-dependent chemiluminescence in rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) by a stromal keratitis causing strain (RE) of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) was examined. Virus alone and virus infected rabbit corneal cells were unable to stimulate chemiluminescence. However, when the virus or virus infected cells were incubated in the presence of HSV-1 specific immune serum or purified IgG, a gradual chemiluminescent response was observed. Virus and virus infected cells incubated with normal rabbit serum or IgG produced little or no activity. No impairment of chemiluminescent response was observed in experiments in which rabbit PMN were exposed to HSV prior to the addition of opsonized zymosan or HSV-antibody complexes. Results suggest PMN exert antiviral activity in the presence of specific antibody and may be important factors in the inflammatory process resulting from ocular HSV infection.