Better neutralization of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) than HSV-2 by antibody from recipients of GlaxoSmithKline HSV-2 glycoprotein D2 subunit vaccine

J Infect Dis. 2014 Aug 15;210(4):571-5. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiu177. Epub 2014 Mar 20.

Abstract

The Herpevac Trial evaluated a herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) glycoprotein D (gD2) subunit vaccine to prevent genital herpes. Unexpectedly, the vaccine protected against genital HSV-1 infection but not genital HSV-2 infection. We evaluated sera from 30 women seronegative for HSV-1 and HSV-2 who were immunized with gD2 in the Herpevac Trial. Neutralizing antibody titers to HSV-1 were 3.5-fold higher than those to HSV-2 (P < .001). HSV-2 gC2 and gE2 on the virus blocked neutralization by gD2 antibody, while HSV-1 gC1 and gE1 did not block neutralization by gD2 antibody. The higher neutralizing antibody titers to HSV-1 offer an explanation for the Herpevac results, and shielding neutralizing domains provides a potential mechanism.

Keywords: HSV-1; HSV-2; Herpevac Trial; glycoprotein C; glycoprotein D; glycoprotein E; neutralizing antibody; vaccine.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / blood
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology*
  • Female
  • Herpes Genitalis / immunology
  • Herpes Genitalis / prevention & control
  • Herpes Simplex / immunology
  • Herpes Simplex / prevention & control
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / immunology*
  • Herpesvirus 2, Human / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Vaccines, Subunit / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines, Subunit / immunology
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / immunology*
  • Viral Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Viral Vaccines / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Vaccines, Subunit
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • Viral Vaccines
  • glycoprotein D-herpes simplex virus type 2