African swine fever virus hemagglutinin protein (CD2v)

African swine fever virus hemagglutinin protein, commonly referred to as CD2v, is a critical type I transmembrane glycoprotein encoded by the EP402R gene of the African swine fever virus (ASFV) [1, 10]. It is the only viral protein identified on the external envelope of the virion and shares significant structural homology with the host T-lymphocyte adhesion receptor CD2 [1, 4, 8]. CD2v is primarily responsible for the characteristic hemadsorption (HAD) phenomenon, in which porcine erythrocytes bind to the surface of infected macrophages and extracellular virus particles [1, 2, 5]. This interaction is thought to facilitate viral dissemination throughout the host and contribute to immune evasion by shielding the virus from neutralizing antibodies [1, 4, 5]. Additionally, CD2v functions as a potent virulence factor by modulating host cell signaling, including the activation of the NF-κB and JAK2-STAT3 pathways, which can lead to the induction of apoptosis in bystander lymphocytes and macrophages [6, 10, 12]. Due to its central role in pathogenesis and its high immunogenicity, CD2v is a major target for the development of subunit and live-attenuated vaccines, as well as a key diagnostic marker for identifying virulent ASFV strains [1, 3, 9, 14].

Other names

CD2vEP402RpEP402RCD2-like proteinASFV hemagglutinin

Induction of protective immune responses through neutralizing antibodies and T-cell activation; blocking of viral hemadsorption and immune evasion mechanisms.