HSV-2 glycoprotein D (gD2)

HSV-2 antigens are a group of viral proteins from Herpes simplex virus type 2 that elicit host immune responses; the most clinically studied are the surface glycoproteins, especially glycoprotein D (gD), which is central to virus entry and a primary target of neutralizing antibodies and vaccine design[1][2]. Other important antigens include glycoprotein B (gB), critical for viral fusion and entry[5]; glycoprotein E (gE), involved in immune evasion by binding IgG Fc regions[3]; capsid and tegument proteins; and various non-glycosylated viral proteins present in infected cells. The breadth of antigens targeted by humoral and cellular immunity influences the effectiveness of vaccines and naturally acquired immunity. The precise selection and breadth of these antigens matters for vaccine efficacy and immune protection[1][2][5]. This entry should be split into specific antigen targets (e.g., "HSV-2 glycoprotein D" or "HSV-2 glycoprotein B") for structured databases, as "HSV-2 antigens" is too broad and imprecise for a canonical therapeutic target.

Other names

HSV-2 surface antigensHSV-2 viral antigensHSV2 gDHSV2 gBHSV2 gEHSV2 gC

Vaccine and antibody candidates: blockade of viral entry by neutralizing antibody binding to gD/gB, preventing viral attachment and fusion; some target gE to block immune evasion mechanisms.