Multivalent DNA vaccine protects against genital herpes by T-cell immune induction in vaginal mucosa.
Genital herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and it is mainly caused by the neurotropic herpes simplex virus (HSV-2). Not only does this infection cause ulcers, but HSV-2 can also stay in a latent state in the nervous system of the host throughout their lifespan. As a result, many people do not know that they harbor this infection. Moreover, HSV-2 serves as a major risk factor for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and can be transmitted to the fetus. Despite the high risk of infection and adverse effects, attempts at development of an effective vaccine for HSV-2 have not yet been successful. In this study, we developed a DNA vaccine for HSV-2 (SL-V20). This multivalent DNA vaccine effectively reduced the pathological symptoms of infection and induced efficient elimination of the virus in a mouse model. Intramuscular injection of SL-V20 led to induction of an HSV-2-specific T-cell response in the vagina, the major infection site, and in draining lymph organs. Dendritic cells (DCs), especially basic leucine zipper ATF-like transcription factor 3 (Baft3)+ DCs and partially interferon regulatory factor 4 (Irf4)+ DCs, were involved in this T-cell-mediated protective response, while B cells were dispensable for these prophylactic effects. This study demonstrates that SL-V20 offers a novel and effective vaccine against vaginal HSV-2 infection and may be applicable to patients, pending validation in clinical studies.
['Kim|Hyeon Cheol|HC|', 'Oh|Dong Sun|DS|', 'Park|Jang Hyun|JH|', 'Kim|Hyun-Jin|HJ|', 'Seo|Yong Bok|YB|', 'Yoo|Hye Jee|HJ|', 'Jang|Hye Seon|HS|', 'Shin|Jua|J|', 'Kim|Chae Won|CW|', 'Kwon|Myeong Seung|MS|', 'Jin|Hyun-Tak|HT|', 'Lee|Sung Ki|SK|', 'Oh|Ji Eun|JE|', 'Lee|Heung Kyu|HK|']
D000818:Animals D000914:Antibodies, Viral D005260:Female D006558:Herpes Genitalis D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human D051379:Mice D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL D013601:T-Lymphocytes D017778:Vaccines, Combined D019444:Vaccines, DNA D014621:Vagina D014765:Viral Vaccines
DNA vaccine Sexually transmitted infection Herpes simplex virus Dendritic cells Protective immunity