Identification of infected cell-specific monoclonal antibodies and their role in host resistance to ocular herpes simplex virus type 1 infection.

Monoclonal antibodies 35S and 55S, specific for herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) glycoproteins gB and gD respectively, were found to react with infected cell membranes but not cell-free virions. This indicates that the spectrum of viral determinants detectable on the infected cell surface is not identical to that detectable on the virion envelope. The monoclonal antibody 35S could promote recovery from ocular HSV-1 infection in mice. Thus, antibody reactive with infective cell-specific determinants can play a significant role in host resistance to HSV-1 infection.