Herpes simplex virus 2 glycoprotein D-specific adaptive immune receptor (HSV-2 gD-specific TCR/BCR)

Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) glycoprotein D (gD) is an essential viral surface protein that mediates host cell entry by interacting with receptors such as herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM) and nectin-1 (PubMed: 11836334). Host adaptive immune receptors, including B-cell receptors (BCRs/antibodies) and T-cell receptors (TCRs), specifically recognize gD epitopes to coordinate the antiviral response (PubMed: 25122792). BCRs produce neutralizing antibodies that block the gD-mediated fusion process, while TCRs on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells recognize gD fragments presented by MHC molecules to trigger cytokine release and direct lysis of infected cells (PubMed: 23966411). These receptors are the primary targets for therapeutic intervention; monoclonal antibodies like HDIT101 and UB-621 are engineered to mimic potent host BCRs to reduce viral shedding and lesion frequency (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04161963). Furthermore, gD-based vaccines aim to induce high titers of these specific adaptive receptors to provide prophylactic or therapeutic protection against genital herpes (PubMed: 22216318).

Other names

Anti-HSV-2 gD antibodygD-specific T-cell receptorHSV-2 gD-reactive lymphocyte receptorAnti-gD2 antibodyHSV-2 glycoprotein D-specific BCR

Neutralization of viral entry by blocking gD binding to host receptors (HVEM, Nectin-1) and induction of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) or T-cell mediated lysis of infected cells.