Multiplication of Herpes Simplex Virus in Large Granular Lymphocytes that Co-Fractionate with Human Natural Killer Cell Activity

Highly enriched preparations of human large granular lymphocytes (LGL) cells, isolated from peripheral blood of normal adult donors, showed partial intrinsic resistance to infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Three subsets of LGL cells were identified on the basis of susceptibility to this virus: 1) resistant cells: 2) abortively infected cells; and 3) permissive cells. An average of 25% of LGL cells were completely resistant to infection. The majority (approximately 75%) could be infected as estimated by immunofluorescence. Only 5% of the original cell suspensions were productively infected as determined by infections center assay and transmission electron microscopy. These results have been reproduced in multiple experiments from 8 different donors consisting of both males and females. No significant difference in LGL cell responses to HSV-1 were detected within this population. Enriched LGL preparations exhibited enhanced natural killer (NK) cell activity. These findings raise several questions concerning the biological significance of LGL susceptibility to infection with HSV-1, relative to virus transport and/or immune surveillance by NK cells.