T-CELL RECOGNITION AND CYTOKINE PRODUCTION ELICITED BY COMMON AND TYPE-SPECIFIC GLYCOPROTEINS OF HERPES-SIMPLEX VIRUS TYPE-1 AND TYPE-2

T cell recognition of common and type-specific herpes simplex virus (H SV) glycoproteins was measured in 72 subjects, T cells were stimulated with whole HSV-2 antigen and glycoproteins gB2, gD2, and gG2. T cell proliferation in response to HSV-2 antigen and gG2 was significantly h igher in subjects with HSV-2 infection than in those with HSV-1 infect ion only; responses to gB2 and gD2 were the same. T helper (Th) type 1 and Th2 cytokine production in response to whole HSV-2 antigen, gB2, and gD2 was evaluated in 33 subjects, Interleukin (IL)-2 and interfero n-gamma responses to most antigens were significantly higher among HSV -2-seropositive subjects than among seronegative subjects, IL-4 synthe sis was negligible; IL-10 was produced in seronegative and seropositiv e persons, but HSV-2 antigen responses were significantly higher in HS V-2-seropositive persons, Naturally acquired immunity to HSV involves T cell recognition of common and type-specific glycoproteins, prominen t Th1 responses, and discordant Th2 responses with little IL-4 but sub stantial IL-10 production.