A Vaxfectin(®)-adjuvanted HSV-2 plasmid DNA vaccine is effective for prophylactic and therapeutic use in the guinea pig model of genital herpes.

Abstract

Here we describe studies in the guinea pig model of genital herpes to evaluate a novel plasmid DNA (pDNA) vaccine encoding the HSV-2 glycoprotein D and UL46 and UL47 genes encoding tegument proteins VP11/12 and VP 13/14 (gD2/UL46/UL47), formulated with a cationic lipid-based adjuvant Vaxfectin(®). Prophylactic immunization with Vaxfectin(®)-gD2/UL46/UL47 significantly reduced viral replication in the genital tract, provided complete protection against both primary and recurrent genital skin disease following intravaginal HSV-2 challenge, and significantly reduced latent HSV-2 DNA in the dorsal root ganglia compared to controls. We also examined the impact of therapeutic immunization of HSV-2 infected animals. Here, Vaxfectin(®)-gD2/UL46/UL47 immunization significantly reduced both the frequency of recurrent disease and viral shedding into the genital tract compared to controls. This novel adjuvanted pDNA vaccine has demonstrated both prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy in the guinea pig model of genital herpes and warrants further development.

• Authors: Ronald L Veselenak, Mark Shlapobersky, Richard B Pyles, Qun Wei, Sean M Sullivan, Nigel Bourne
• Journal: Vaccine (Vaccine) Vol. 30 Issue 49 Pg. 7046-51 (Nov 19 2012) ISSN: 1873-2518 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 23041125 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Adjuvants, Immunologic
• Herpesvirus Vaccines
• Phosphatidylethanolamines
• Vaccines, DNA
• Viral Envelope Proteins
• Viral Proteins
• glycoprotein D-herpes simplex virus type 2
• vaxfectin

Topics

• Adjuvants, Immunologic (administration & dosage)
• Animals
• Disease Models, Animal
• Ganglia, Spinal (virology)
• Guinea Pigs
• Herpes Genitalis (immunology, prevention & control)
• Herpesvirus 2, Human (genetics, immunology)
• Herpesvirus Vaccines (administration & dosage, genetics, immunology)
• Phosphatidylethanolamines (administration & dosage)
• Plasmids
• Skin (virology)
• Vaccines, DNA (administration & dosage, genetics, immunology)
• Viral Envelope Proteins (genetics, immunology)
• Viral Proteins (genetics, immunology)