Antiviral activities of human monoclonal antibodies to herpes simplex virus.

Hybridomas producing human monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against herpes simplex virus (HSV) were established by fusing human tonsillar lymphocytes with mouse myeloma cells. Three hybridomas have been stably producing MAbs for more than 16 months. All three MAbs--H1, H2, and H3--were of the IgG1 isotype and recognized the gB glycoprotein of HSV types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2). MAbs H2 and H3 not only bound to the surface membrane of HSV-infected cells but also neutralized both HSV-1 and HSV-2, whereas MAb H1 had neither activity. In mouse infection experiments, MAbs H2 and H3 showed a potent protective effect against HSV-1 infection, whereas MAB H1 was less protective. Furthermore, the development of zosteriform skin lesions in athymic nude mice was suppressed by administering MAb H2. These results suggest that human MAbs might provide passive immunization against HSV infections in humans.