Figure 5. Ly49G2+ NK cells required in MCMV resistance.

A. Splenocytes from rat IgG or 4D11 treated R7 (Cmv^r) mice with MCMV infection were stained for CD3, NKp46, AT8 and 4D11. At top, numbers indicate the percentage of splenocytes within the NKp46+CD3- lymphocyte gate. Shown below, plots are gated on NKp46+CD3- lymphocytes. Left plots show splenocytes from rat IgG treated mice. Right plots show splenocytes from mAb 4D11 treated mice. B. Spleen (open) and liver (filled) MCMV genome levels for IgG, 4D11 or PK136 treated R7 mice infected with 10³ (top) or 10⁴ (bottom) PFU MCMV are shown. For both virus doses, 4D11-treated spleen virus levels were significantly higher than that of rat IgG-treated animals (P < 0.005), though not significantly different than PK136-treated animals. At the lower dose, 4D11-treated liver virus levels were significantly higher than rat IgG treated (P < 0.05), but significantly lower than PK136 treated animals (P < 0.05). Statistical analysis was performed using a Mann-Whitney/Wilcoxon test. Data included 3-9 mice per group.