Live vaccinia virus recombinants expressing herpes simplex virus genes

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Vaccinology

Background:

• Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections pose a significant health challenge.
• Live virus vaccines are being explored for HSV prevention.
• Vaccinia virus recombinants offer a platform for vaccine development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate vaccinia virus recombinants expressing HSV antigens as potential live virus vaccines.
• To assess the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of these recombinants against HSV infection in a mouse model.

Main Methods:

• Construction of three vaccinia virus/HSV recombinants: vaccinia/gD, vaccinia/gB, and vaccinia/HSVgD/influenza.
• Immunization of mice with the recombinant viruses.
• Assessment of antibody production, HSV neutralization, and protection against lethal and latent HSV challenge.
• Evaluation of booster vaccination effects and impact of prior non-HSV gene expression.

Main Results:

• Mice immunized with vaccinia/gD or vaccinia/gB developed neutralizing antibodies against HSV.
• Significant protection against lethal and latent HSV infection was observed.
• Protection persisted for over one year in mice vaccinated with vaccinia/gD.
• A bivalent recombinant (vaccinia/HSVgD/influenza) showed comparable efficacy to the single recombinant.

Conclusions:

• Vaccinia virus recombinants expressing HSV antigens can elicit protective immune responses in mice.
• These recombinants represent a viable alternative strategy for developing a live virus vaccine against HSV.
• Further research into vaccinia/HSV recombinants may lead to effective HSV prevention.