Administration of antigranulocyte monoclonal antibody RB6-8C5 prevents expression of acquired resistance to Listeria monocytogenes infection in previously immunized mice.

Recent studies have established the importance of neutrophils in innate resistance to Listeria monocytogenes infection in mice. The purpose of this study was to determine the importance of neutrophils in acquired resistance to L. monocytogenes infection. Previously immunized mice that were depleted of neutrophils by administration of the antigranulocyte monoclonal antibody RB6-8C5 demonstrated less resistance to L. monocytogenes challenge than did nonimmunized control mice. In contrast, immunized control mice exhibited a heightened resistance to rechallenge, as expected. These results suggest that neutrophils make previously unrecognized contributions to acquired immunity to a facultative intracellular pathogen.