Varicella-zoster virus glycoproteins and structural proteins (VZV glycoproteins)

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) glycoproteins and structural proteins are essential components of the Human Herpesvirus 3 virion, playing pivotal roles in the viral life cycle and pathogenesis (Source: PubMed, PMID: 25231300). The glycoproteins, including gE, gB, gH, and gL, are embedded in the viral envelope and mediate critical processes such as attachment to host cells, membrane fusion, and efficient cell-to-cell spread (Source: UniProt, P09258). Structural proteins, including those in the capsid and tegument, facilitate viral assembly and the transport of the viral genome to the nucleus (Source: PubMed, PMID: 19710391). These proteins are central to the pathogenesis of both primary varicella (chickenpox) and the reactivation of latent virus as herpes zoster (shingles) (Source: StatPearls, NBK448139). These proteins are the primary targets for both active immunization and passive immunization strategies. Glycoprotein E (gE) is the most abundant surface protein and serves as the primary antigen in modern recombinant vaccines like Shingrix due to its high immunogenicity (Source: CDC, 2023). Vaccines and immunoglobulins targeting these structural components aim to elicit or provide neutralizing antibodies and T-cell responses to prevent infection and reactivation (Source: NIH, 2022). Consequently, these proteins are fundamental to the clinical management and prevention of VZV-related diseases and their complications, such as postherpetic neuralgia (Source: PubMed, PMID: 29661577).

Other names

VZV envelope glycoproteinsHuman herpesvirus 3 structural proteinsVZV gE/gI complexVZV gBVZV gH/gL complexVZV tegument proteins

These proteins serve as the primary antigenic targets for vaccines and immunoglobulins; vaccines induce the production of neutralizing antibodies and activate VZV-specific CD4+ T-cells to prevent viral entry and cell-to-cell spread, while immunoglobulins provide immediate passive immunity by binding to surface glycoproteins and neutralizing the virus (Source: PubMed, PMID: 29661577; FDA, VariZIG Label).