Dendritic cell vaccination protects mice against lethality caused by genital herpes simplex virus type 2 infection

We have evaluated the ability of antigen pulsed bone-marrow derived dendrit ic cells (bmDC), to induce protective immunity against a genital tract infe ction with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in mice. Intravenous but not vaginal administrations of bmDC pulsed in vitro with UV-inactivated HSV-2, or with purified HSV-2 envelope glycoproteins gave rise to complete protec tion against disease, as well as death caused by genital herpes infection. Protection was dependent on the antigens being presented by the bmDC as nei ther the antigens alone, nor the mock-pulsed bmDC prevented disease. Immuni ty was associated with HSV-2 specific IFN-gamma and antibody production, an d was shown to be dependent on CD4(+) cells secreting IFN-gamma. Thus, ex v ivo antigen-pulsed bmDC represents a powerful tool for the study of protect ive immunity to genital herpes infection, and for the identification of pro tective antigens. These findings might also have an impact on the design of vaccines against other sexually transmitted viral diseases. (C) 2001 Elsev ier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.