THE PROPHYLACTIC EFFECT OF IMMUNIZATION WITH DNA ENCODING HERPES-SIMPLEX VIRUS GLYCOPROTEINS ON HSV-INDUCED DISEASE IN GUINEA-PIGS

Plasmid expression vectors encoding herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2 ) glycoproteins B (gB) or D (gD) were constructed and tested for their ability to immunize guinea pigs against genital HSV infection. Immuni zation with a plasmid expressing the aminoterminal 707 amino acids (aa ) of gB induced humoral immune responses defected by ELISA and virus n eutralization When challenged by vaginal infection, immunized animals were partially protected from genital herpes, exhibiting significantly reduced primary and subsequent recurrent disease. When the gB plasmid was combined with a plasmid expressing full-length gD, immunized guin ea pigs developed humoral responses to both proteins and were also sig nificantly protected from viral challenge. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science L td.