The Role of Antibody and Host Cells in the Resistance of Mice Against Infection by Coxsackie B-3 Virus

Clinical Research Centre, Harrow, Middlesex, England Peritoneal exudate cells transferred from adult to suckling BALB/c mice before infection of the recipients with Coxsackie B-3 virus protected them against the lethal effects of the virus. Undiluted antibody alone also prevented lethal virus infections in suckling mice but diluted antibody conferred protection only when transferred together with syngeneic adult peritoneal exudate cells. Impairment of macrophage function by intravenous injection of silica increased the susceptibility to virus infection of adult mice. Peritoneal exudate cells inactivated the virus in vitro , and this property may be related to their protective effect in vivo . It is suggested that antibody and host cells collaborate to provide effective resistance against the spread of Coxsackie virus. Received 27 September 1972; accepted 19 January 1973.