US6 gene deletion in Herpes simplex virus type 2 enhances dendritic cell function and T cell activation

Angello Retamal-Díaz, Kayla A. Weiss, Eduardo I. Tognarelli, Mariela Freire, Susan M. Bueno, Betsy C. Herold, William R. Jacobs, Pablo A. González

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) produce lifelong infections that are associated with frequent asymptomatic or clinically apparent reactivation. Importantly, HSV express multiple virulence factors that negatively modulate innate and adaptive immune components. Notably, HSV interfere with dendritic cell (DC) viability and function, likely hindering the capacity of the host to mount effective immunity against these viruses. Recently, an HSV-2 virus that was deleted in glycoprotein D was engineered (designated ΔgD-2). The virus is propagated on a complementing cell line that expresses HSV-1 gD, which permits a single round of viral replication. ΔgD-2 is safe, immunogenic, and provided complete protection against vaginal or skin challenges with HSV-1 and HSV-2 in murine models. Here, we sought to assess the interaction of ΔgD-2 with DCs and found that, in contrast to wild-type (WT) virus which induces DC apoptosis, ΔgD-2 promoted their migration and capacity to activate naïve CD8+ and CD4+ T cells in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, DCs exposed to the WT and ΔgD-2 virus experienced different unfolded protein responses. Mice primed with DCs infected with ΔgD-2 in vitro displayed significantly reduced infection and pathology after genital challenge with virulent HSV-2 compared to non-primed mice, suggesting that DCs play a role in the immune response to the vaccine strain.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number1523
JournalFrontiers in immunology
Volume8
Issue numberNOV
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 10 2017

Keywords

  • Adaptive immunity
  • Apoptosis
  • Dendritic cells
  • Glycoprotein D
  • HSV type 2
  • Migration
  • Unfolded protein response

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'US6 gene deletion in Herpes simplex virus type 2 enhances dendritic cell function and T cell activation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this