HSV-2 gD

Herpes Simplex Virus-2 (HSV-2) is a significant pathogen responsible for genital herpes, a common sexually transmitted infection. The virus has a complex structure, with several glycoproteins on its surface that play crucial roles in its ability to infect host cells and evade the immune system. One of these glycoproteins, glycoprotein D (gD), has been a focal point in the development of vaccines and therapeutic interventions.

Glycoprotein D (gD) is essential for HSV-2’s entry into host cells. It interacts with specific receptors on the surface of host cells, facilitating the fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell membrane. This interaction is critical for the virus’s ability to infect and spread from cell to cell .

The technology to produce recombinant gD-2 emerged in the early 1980s. Since then, the formulation of gD-2 subunit vaccines has undergone continuous testing and refinement . These vaccines aim to elicit an immune response specifically targeting gD, thereby preventing the virus from entering host cells and establishing infection.

Despite the promising potential of gD-2 subunit vaccines, they have faced challenges in providing complete protection against HSV-2. Studies have shown that while these vaccines can elicit an immune response, they may not be sufficient to prevent infection entirely . This has led researchers to explore alternative strategies, such as live-attenuated vaccines and vaccines targeting multiple viral antigens .

Recent research has focused on understanding the broader immune response to HSV-2 and identifying additional viral proteins that could serve as vaccine targets. For instance, live-attenuated HSV-2 vaccines have been shown to elicit a more comprehensive immune response, including antibodies against multiple viral proteins . This increased breadth of antibody-generating proteins may contribute to superior protection against genital herpes compared to gD subunit vaccines .