Figure 8.

Inflammatory monocytes are required for activation of NK cell IFN-γ production during infection. (A–D) WT B6 mice were given an anti-CCR2 antibody or the respective isotype-matched control Ig to deplete inflammatory monocytes and then infected with 10⁴ pfu HSV-2 ivag. Vaginal tissue was collected on day 3 p.i. and examined for neutrophil and inflammatory monocyte populations. Representative flow plots are respectively shown in A and B and graphically in C and D (n = 5). (E and F) On day 3 p.i., vaginal cells were also examined for NK cells (E; n = 5) and CD11c⁺ cells (F; n = 5). (G) On days 0–3 p.i., vaginal lavages were examined for IFN-γ levels (n = 4; repeated once with similar results). (H) On day 2 p.i., vaginal washes were examined for HSV-2 viral titers using a plaque assay method (n = 4; repeated once with similar results). (I and J) Day 0–3 p.i. vaginal lavages were also examined for IL-18 levels (I; n = 4; repeated once with similar results) and IL-12 levels (J; n = 5). Data in C–F and H are displayed as mean ± SEM and were analyzed using an unpaired Student’s t test in F and a Mann-Whitney test (for nonparametric data) in C–E and H: n.s., not significant; *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01. Data in G, I, and J are displayed as mean ± SEM and were analyzed using two-way ANOVA: *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001.