title: A lentiviral vector-based, herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) glycoprotein B vaccine affords cross-protection against HSV-1 and HSV-2 genital infections.
abstract: Genital herpes is caused by herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and HSV-2, and its incidence is constantly increasing in the human population. Regardless of the clinical manifestation, HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections are highly transmissible to sexual partners and enhance susceptibility to other sexually transmitted infections. An effective vaccine is not yet available. Here, HSV-1 glycoprotein B (gB1) was delivered by a feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) vector and tested against HSV-1 and HSV-2 vaginal challenges in C57BL/6 mice. The gB1 vaccine elicited cross-neutralizing antibodies and cell-mediated responses that protected 100 and 75% animals from HSV-1- and HSV-2-associated severe disease, respectively. Two of the eight fully protected vaccinees underwent subclinical HSV-2 infection, as demonstrated by deep immunosuppression and other analyses. Finally, vaccination prevented death in 83% of the animals challenged with a HSV-2 dose that killed 78 and 100% naive and mock-vaccinated controls, respectively. Since this FIV vector can accommodate two or more HSV immunogens, this vaccine has ample potential for improvement and may become a candidate for the development of a truly effective vaccine against genital herpes.
authors.affiliation: Retrovirus Center and Virology Section, Department of Experimental Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Flavia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chiuppesi
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vannucci
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Luca
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Matteoli
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Freer
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Manservigi
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ceccherini-Nelli
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Maggi
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bendinelli
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pistello
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D056738:Cross Protection; D005260:Female; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D022301:Herpes Simplex Virus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D016089:Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D014611:Vaccination; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D022301:Herpes Simplex Virus Vaccines; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C562160:glycoprotein B, human herpesvirus 1