Herpes simplex virus type 2 antigens (HSV-2 antigens)

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) antigens are viral proteins, primarily envelope glycoproteins such as gD and gB, that serve as the primary targets for prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines (Belshe et al., 2012, NEJM). These antigens are essential for the virus's ability to attach to host cell receptors and fuse with the host cell membrane, facilitating entry into epithelial cells and subsequent establishment of latency in the sacral ganglia (UniProt P06437). In therapeutic contexts, these antigens are designed to stimulate the host's immune system to produce neutralizing antibodies and activate CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, aiming to reduce the frequency of symptomatic outbreaks and viral shedding (Skoberne et al., 2013, Vaccine). Despite their clear role in pathogenesis, creating effective vaccines has proven difficult due to the complex immune evasion strategies employed by HSV-2 and its ability to persist in a latent state (StatPearls, 2023). Current research focuses on multi-antigen formulations and novel adjuvants to enhance the breadth and duration of the immune response to prevent genital herpes and its complications, such as neonatal herpes.

Other names

Human herpesvirus 2 antigensHSV-2 proteinsHSV-2 surface glycoproteinsHSV-2 immunogens

Induction of neutralizing antibodies and T-cell mediated immune responses to prevent viral entry and reduce viral shedding.