Immunology of Herpes Simplex Virus Infection

Abstract

The accompanying inflammation seen in ocular HSV infection-the result of interactions between viruses and the immune response-can be both beneficial and potentially harmful to the host. An understanding of the interaction of virus-immune cells is just evolving from current advances in basic research. Based on our studies on HSV keratitis [11], the control of ocular HSV infection appears to involve an early inflammatory phase with macrophage reactivity and elaboration of MIF. Transient virus-specific lymphocytes with effector reactivity, as well as neutrophils with chemotactic activity, occur during the stromal keratitis. Finally, antibody-dependent complement-mediated lysis provides another phase of restriction of infection. Thus, a rationale for effective management and therapy of occular HSV disease must be based on an understanding of (1) the immunological and immunopathological mechanisms of corneal inflammatory disease initiated by the virus; (2) the immunological mechanisms in recovery from the disease; and (3) the host's humoral and cellular immune status during virus persistence (latency) and during recurrent episodes of infection. We hope that new information obtained from assessment of roles of the humoral and cellular immune responses in recovery from disease and in recurrent disease will provide new approaches to the management of ocular HSV infections.