Our objectives are to investigate immune evasion strategies used by herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and -2), and to develop novel immunization approaches that diminish HSV-1 and -2 evasion. Our studies focus on HSV glycoproteins gC and gE. gC interferes with complement (C) activation, rendering C ineffective against HSV-1 infection. However, if a critical gC domain that binds complement component C3b is deleted, C is highly active, reducing HSV- 1 virulence ~100-fold. gE evades antibodies by binding the lgG Fc domain and blocking Fcmediated activities, including C activation and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. An HSV-1 gE mutant virus that is unable to evade antibody attack is ~100-fold less virulent in vivo than wild-type virus because of enhanced antibody activity. We prepared an HSV-1 gC-gE double mutant virus and demonstrated that the mutant virus is ~1,000-fold less virulent than wild-type virus because the mutant virus lacks stealth activities. However, antibodies produced during natural infection in humans fail to recognize gC and gE immune evasion domains, suggesting that these domains remain hidden from the host. Nevertheless, antibodies can detect evasion domains, since a gC monoclonal antibody blocks C3b binding to gC and has antiviral activity in vitro and in vivo. These findings support the relevance of gC and gE immune evasion in pathogenesis, and our proposal to block these activities. ? ? We will use murine and rabbit models to further define the importance of HSV-1 gC and gE immune evasion in infection, and to evaluate differences that have emerged comparing HSV-1 and HSV-2 evasion properties. We will define the mechanisms for these differences, and use animal models and knockout mice to examine whether gC and gE impair links between humoral and cellular limbs of innate immunity, and between innate and acquired immunity. We will attempt to expose hidden gC and gE domains by using baculovirus-expressed protein fragments, modifying N-linked carbohydrates, and immunizing with glycoproteins bound to their natural ligands with the purpose of uncovering hidden domains. We will evaluate gC and gE immunogens in animal models to determine whether the immunogens can elicit an immune response that blocks evasion domains and reduces virulence. Preventing viral stealth may greatly improve antibody and C activities in host defense, and may lead to new approaches for the next generation of successful vaccines.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL028220-22
Application #
6918688
Study Section
Experimental Virology Study Section (EVR)
Program Officer
Tolunay, Eser
Project Start
1987-03-01
Project End
2007-06-30
Budget Start
2005-07-01
Budget End
2006-06-30
Support Year
22
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$396,250
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pennsylvania
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
042250712
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19104
Awasthi, Sita; Balliet, John W; Flynn, Jessica A et al. (2014) Protection provided by a herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) glycoprotein C and D subunit antigen vaccine against genital HSV-2 infection in HSV-1-seropositive guinea pigs. J Virol 88:2000-10
Awasthi, Sita; Zumbrun, Elizabeth E; Si, Huaxin et al. (2012) Live attenuated herpes simplex virus 2 glycoprotein E deletion mutant as a vaccine candidate defective in neuronal spread. J Virol 86:4586-98
Lubinski, John M; Lazear, Helen M; Awasthi, Sita et al. (2011) The herpes simplex virus 1 IgG fc receptor blocks antibody-mediated complement activation and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in vivo. J Virol 85:3239-49
Awasthi, Sita; Lubinski, John M; Shaw, Carolyn E et al. (2011) Immunization with a vaccine combining herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) glycoprotein C (gC) and gD subunits improves the protection of dorsal root ganglia in mice and reduces the frequency of recurrent vaginal shedding of HSV-2 DNA in guinea pigs compared to J Virol 85:10472-86
Huang, Jialing; Lazear, Helen M; Friedman, Harvey M (2011) Completely assembled virus particles detected by transmission electron microscopy in proximal and mid-axons of neurons infected with herpes simplex virus type 1, herpes simplex virus type 2 and pseudorabies virus. Virology 409:12-6
King, Ryan D; Lubinski, John M; Friedman, Harvey M (2009) Herpes simplex virus type 1 infection increases the carbohydrate binding activity and the secretion of cellular galectin-3. Arch Virol 154:609-18
Awasthi, Sita; Lubinski, John M; Friedman, Harvey M (2009) Immunization with HSV-1 glycoprotein C prevents immune evasion from complement and enhances the efficacy of an HSV-1 glycoprotein D subunit vaccine. Vaccine 27:6845-53
Awasthi, Sita; Lubinski, John M; Eisenberg, Roselyn J et al. (2008) An HSV-1 gD mutant virus as an entry-impaired live virus vaccine. Vaccine 26:1195-203
Hook, Lauren M; Huang, Jialing; Jiang, Ming et al. (2008) Blocking antibody access to neutralizing domains on glycoproteins involved in entry as a novel mechanism of immune evasion by herpes simplex virus type 1 glycoproteins C and E. J Virol 82:6935-41
Sutherland, M R; Friedman, H M; Pryzdial, E L G (2007) Thrombin enhances herpes simplex virus infection of cells involving protease-activated receptor 1. J Thromb Haemost 5:1055-61

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