Herpes simplex virus glycoproteins: participation of individual herpes simplex virus type 1 glycoprotein antigens in immunocytolysis and their correlation with previously identified glycopolypeptides

Abstract

Tissue culture cells infected with herpes simplex type 1 virus express virus-specified glycoprotein antigens on the plasma membrane. Three of these have been previously identified and have been designated as Ag-11, Ag-8, and Ag-6. In the present study, immunoglobulins to each of the antigens were shown to be capable of mediating immunocytolysis in the presence of either complement (antibody-dependent complement-mediated cytotoxicity) or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity [ADCC]). Two herpes simplex virus type 1 strains, VR-3 and F, reacted similarly in the ADCC test in the presence of immunoglobulins to Ag-11, Ag-8, and Ag-6 in both infected Chang liver cells and HEp-2 cells. Anti-Ag-6, however, produced a lower ADCC reaction in HEp-2 cells than in Chang liver cells, suggesting differences in the Ag-6 surface expression in, or release from, these cells. Chang liver and HEp-2 cells infected with the MP mutant strain of herpes simplex virus type 1 showed reduced ADCC in the presence of anti-Ag-11 and anti-Ag-8, but no reactivity at all with anti-Ag-6. Crossed immunoelectrophoretic analysis showed that MP-infected cell extracts contain Ag-11 and Ag-8, but lack Ag-6. Polypeptide analysis of herpes simplex virus type 1 strains F, VR-3, and MP showed that Ag-11 consists of the glycoproteins gA and gB, that Ag-8 consists of gD, and that Ag-6 consists of gC. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that either one of the glycoproteins (gC, gD, and a mixture of gA and gB) can function as a target for immunocytolysis and that the antibody preparation to gC (Ag-6) does not cross-react with any of the other glycoproteins.