Herpes Simplex Virus Antigen

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) antigens are viral proteins recognized by the host immune system during infection with HSV-1 or HSV-2. These antigens include a variety of structural and nonstructural proteins, most notably the envelope glycoproteins such as gB, gD, gH/gL complexes, and others that play key roles in viral entry, immune evasion, and pathogenesis. They serve as targets for both humoral and cellular immune responses. Major antigenic glycoproteins include gD (involved in receptor binding), gB (critical for membrane fusion), and gH/gL complex (mediates signal transmission required for activating membrane fusion via gB). HSV also encodes proteins like ICP47 that interfere with antigen processing/presentation by blocking TAP transporter function to prevent MHC-I presentation of viral peptides.