Antibody production and protection against influenza virus in immunodeficient mice.

The roles of T and B cells in the immune response to influenza virus were studied by using mice deficient in either T cells (athymic nude) or immunoglobulin production (CBA/N). The serological responses of these mice to either whole or disrupted A/Aichi/2/68 influenza virus vaccines were examined, and the protective effect of these inoculations was tested by challenge infection with mouse-adapted A/Aichi/2/68 influenza virus. In contrast to normal mice, neither strain of immunodeficient mouse produced detectable serum antibody after inoculation with either type of vaccine. CBA/N mice immunized with intact virus vaccine were protected, however, against subsequent lethal challenge. CBA/N mice inoculated with disrupted virus vaccine and nude mice inoculated with either disrupted or whole virus vaccine were not protected against viral challenge. Evidence of immunological memory was observed in CBA/N and nude mice that had survived live virus challenge after immunization with inactivated vaccine.