NK cells contribute to the early clearance of HSV-1 from the lung but cannot control replication in the central nervous system following intranasal infection

Abstract

While infection of the respiratory tract with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) can have severe clinical complications, little is known of the immune mechanisms that control both the replication and spread of HSV-1 in this site. To better understand the contribution of innate immunity and in particular natural killer (NK) cells to the control of infection at this site, we have utilized a mouse model of intranasal HSV-1 infection. NK cell numbers increased in the lung following intranasal infection and they produced IFN-γ and acquired an enhanced cytotoxic capacity. While depletion of NK cells resulted in increased HSV-1 titres in the lung, the time taken to clear the virus was unaffected. ..