| The subject of this dissertation is an analysis of the roles of local and systemic antibody in recovery from and prevention of influenza virus infection of the upper and lower respiratory tracts of mice.;The role of antibody in recovery from influenza virus infection was studied in two ways. First, influenza virus infected athymic nude mice were passively immunized with influenza virus specific antiserum. Second, the role of antibody was studied by the infection of mice that had been made antibody deficient by the injection of anti-IgM antibody from birth (anti-IgM suppressed). These two sets of studies suggest that antibody in nasal secretions and serum are not necessary for recovery from influenza virus infection, but if serum antibody is present, it can help in recovery.;The role of antibody in prevention of influenza virus infection of the noses of mice was studied in two ways. First, anti-Igm suppressed mice that had recovered from an initial influenza virus infection were challenged with influenza virus. Second, conventional mice were passively immunized with influenza virus specific polymeric IgA antibody or immune mouse serum and subsequently challenged with influenza virus. These studies demonstrate that although roles for serum IgGl and IgA antibody in prevention of influenza virus infection of the noses of mice cannot be ruled out, serum antibody probably does not prevent influenza virus infection and IgA antibody in nasal secretions probably does.;Therefore, antibody in nasal secretions and serum are not necessary for recovery from influenza virus infection, but if serum antibody is present it can help in the recovery process. The role of antibody in prevention of influenza virus infection is more complex but the results indicate that serum antibody is probably not responsible for prevention. At this time it is not possible to differentiate between the protective role of antibody in nasal secretions or serum but theoretically it should be IgA antibody in nasal secretions that is protective. |
