Herpes Simple Virus Vaccines
Creative Biolabs is a world leader in the field of viral vaccine development. With our extensive experience and advanced platform, we are therefore confident in offering the best vaccine development services for Herpes Simplex Virus. We guarantee the finest results for our customers all over the world.
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2), also known as Human Herpesvirus 1 and 2 (HHV-1 and HHV-2), are two members of the Herpesviridae family, which infect humans. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 producing most cold sores and most genital herpes respectively are ubiquitous and contagious. The virus can be spread when an infected person is producing and shedding the virus. Symptoms of Herpes Simplex Virus infection include mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, lips or genitals and watery blisters in the skin. Sometimes, the viruses cause very atypical or mild symptoms during infections. However, they can also cause more troublesome forms of herpes simplex. Regarded as neurotropic and neuroinvasive viruses, HSV-1 and HSV-2 can persist in the body by becoming latent and hiding from the immune system in the cell bodies of neurons. After the initial or primary infection, some infected people experience sporadic episodes of viral reactivation or outbreaks. In the outbreak, the virus in a nerve cell becomes active and is transported via the neuron's axon to the skin, where virus replication and shedding occur and cause new sores. In addition, it is one of the most common sexually transmitted infection viruses.
Primary HSV-1 Infection
Primary HSV-1 infection usually occurs when a susceptible individual comes into close, such as intimate contact with an individual who is actively shedding the virus. Thus, infants can be infected when their parents or relatives kiss them; adolescents who escape infection in infancy are usually infected later by kissing. Infection in an infant is likely to be missed or dismissed as ‘teething’. In adolescents, infection is more commonly symptomatic but rarely severe. On a worldwide basis, however, overall rates of 90–95% seroprevalence are still commonplace in adult populations.
Primary HSV-2 Infection
HSV-2 transmission is apparently less efficient than that observed for HSV-1. The principal route of transmission is sexual activity. Although some infants acquire HSV-2 infection, in most cases primary infection is delayed until the onset of sexual activity in adolescence and early adulthood. At this time the majority will have already experienced primary infection with HSV-1 (i.e. infection with HSV-2 often causes an initial rather than a primary infection). Because of the shared antigenicity of HSV-1 and HSV-2, HSV-1 immunity may be partially protective and not all those exposed to HSV-2 will necessarily become infected. Also, since transmission usually involves sexual contact, the number of exposures to the virus will inevitably be lower than the number of exposures to HSV-1 infection.
Fig.1 A simplified diagram of HSV replication.
The Development of HSV Vaccine
Multiple vaccine candidates with diverse platforms have been studied in the preclinical phase and several are being tested in clinical trials. The most widely used product for HSV vaccines in human clinical trials has been glycoprotein subunit vaccines. Glycoprotein D is expressed on the viral surface and responsible for most neutralizing antibody activity and, therefore, is a rationale target. There are several live-attenuated or replication-defective virus vaccine candidates in the preclinical phase. A replication-defective HSV-2 vaccine (HSV529) has entered Phase I trials for both preventive and therapeutic indications. A live-attenuated virus deleted in gD2 prevented skin, neural and vaginal disease in the mouse model, and also is the first construct to eliminate establishment of latency in the dorsal root ganglia. Novel delivery methods of glycoproteins, including lentiviral vectors expressing glycoprotein B and intranasal delivery, are being explored. Glycoprotein candidates with novel platforms are still being investigated.
Creative Biolabs has focused on the viral vaccines for years and is pleased to share our cutting-edge technology and extensive expertise in the field of Herpes Simple Virus vaccine development. We can offer high-quality customized services by adjusting protocols to meet even the most specific requirements. If you are interested in our services, please contact us for more details.
Reference
- Widener R and Whitley RJ. (2014). “Herpes simplex virus”. Handb Clin Neurol, 123, 251-263.
All of our products can only be used for research purposes. These vaccine ingredients CANNOT be used directly on humans or animals.
