A genetically inactivated herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) vaccine provides effective protection against primary and recurrent HSV-2 disease.
A glycoprotein H (gH)-deleted herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) was evaluated as a vaccine for the prevention of HSV-induced disease. This virus, which we term a DISC (disabled infectious single cycle) virus, can only complete one replication cycle in normal cells and should thus be safe yet still able to stimulate broad humoral and cell-mediated antiviral immune responses. A gH-deleted HSV-2 virus that has been tested as a vaccine in the guinea pig model of recurrent HSV-2 infection was constructed. Animals vaccinated with DISC HSV-2 showed complete protection against primary HSV-2-induced disease, even when challenged 6 months after vaccination. In addition, the animals were almost completely protected against recurrent disease. Even at low vaccination doses, there was a high degree of protection against primary disease. A reduction in recurrent disease symptoms was also observed following therapeutic vaccination of animals already infected with wild type HSV-2.
Boursnell
M E
ME
Cantab Pharmaceuticals Research Ltd., Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Entwisle
C
C
Blakeley
D
D
Roberts
C
C
Duncan
I A
IA
Chisholm
S E
SE
Martin
G M
GM
Jennings
R
R
Ni Challanaín
D
D
Sobek
I
I
Inglis
S C
SC
McLean
C S
CS
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D005260:Female; D017353:Gene Deletion; D005814:Genes, Viral; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D012008:Recurrence; D014162:Transfection; D014611:Vaccination; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D014709:Vero Cells; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014779:Virus Replication
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; D014765:Viral Vaccines