Functional activity of peritoneal macrophages from sensitive and resistant mouse strains during intravaginal infection with herpes simplex virus type 2 and mucosal vaccination

In the early period after intravaginal infection with herpes simplex virus type 2 (2 h), macrophages from sensitive DBA/2 mice were characterized by higher capacity to engulf the antigen, decreased function of the lysosomal apparatus, lower activity of cathepsin D, and reduced oxygen metabolism compared to cells from resistant BALB/c mice. Mucosal vaccination with herpes vaccine and hyaluronic acid promoted the increase in functional activity of macrophages and improved survival of sensitive mice (by 60%).