Depletion of Gr-1 , but not Ly6G , immune cells exacerbates virus replication and disease in an intranasal model of herpes simplex virus type 1 infection

Abstract

In the absence of a viable 'knockout' mouse, researchers have relied extensively on monoclonal antibody (mAb) RB6-8C5 [anti-granulocyte receptor 1 (Gr-1)] to deplete neutrophils in murine models of inflammation and infection. Using an intranasal model of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection, we demonstrate that mAb RB6-8C5 also binds to plasmacytoid dendritic cells, F4/80+ macrophages/monocytes and CD8+ T cells recovered from the airways of HSV-1-infected mice. In contrast, mAb 1A8 (anti-Ly6G) bound specifically to Ly6Ghigh neutrophils. Following intranasal infection of C57BL/6 mice with HSV-1, few Ly6Ghigh neutrophils were recruited to the airways and treatment of mice with purifie..