title: Identification of novel virus-specific antigens by CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells from asymptomatic HSV-2 seropositive and seronegative donors.
abstract: Reactivation of latent herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) infections can be characterized by episodic recurrent genital lesions and/or viral shedding. We hypothesize that infected (HSV-2(pos)) asymptomatic individuals have acquired T cell responses to specific HSV-2 antigen(s) that may be an important factor in controlling their recurrent disease symptoms. Our proteomic screening technology, ATLAS, was used to characterize the antigenic repertoire of T cell responses in infected (HSV-2(pos)) and virus-exposed seronegative (HSV-2(neg)) subjects. T cell responses, determined by IFN-γ secretion, were generated to gL, UL2, UL11, UL21, ICP4, ICP0, ICP47 and UL40 with greater magnitude and/or frequency among cohorts of exposed HSV-2(neg) or asymptomatic HSV-2(pos) individuals, compared to symptomatic recurrent HSV-2(pos) subjects. T cell antigens recognized preferentially among individuals who are resistant to infection or who are infected and have mild or no clinical disease may provide new targets for the design of vaccines aimed at treating and/or preventing HSV-2 infection.
authors.affiliation: Genocea Biosciences, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Long
authors.affiliation: Genocea Biosciences, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA.
authors.forename: Mojca
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Skoberne
authors.affiliation: Genocea Biosciences, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA.
authors.forename: Todd M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Gierahn
authors.affiliation: Genocea Biosciences, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA.
authors.forename: Shane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Larson
authors.affiliation: Genocea Biosciences, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA.
authors.forename: Jessica A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Price
authors.affiliation: Genocea Biosciences, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Clemens
authors.affiliation: Genocea Biosciences, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA.
authors.forename: Amy E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Baccari
authors.affiliation: Genocea Biosciences, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA.
authors.forename: Kenya P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Cohane
authors.affiliation: Genocea Biosciences, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA.
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Garvie
authors.affiliation: Genocea Biosciences, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA.
authors.forename: George R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Siber
authors.affiliation: Genocea Biosciences, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA. Electronic address: jessica.flechtner@genocea.com.
authors.forename: Jessica B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Flechtner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
keywords: Antigens; Herpes simplex virus; Recurrent genital herpes; T cells