Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of intranasal (IN) immunization with Neisseria meningitides B proteoliposome (AFPL1) and AFPL1-derived cochleate (AFCo1), containing glycoprotein D (gD) of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) for induction of protective immunity against genital herpes infection in mice. We could show that IN immunization with both AFPL1 and AFCo1 containing gD induced gD-specific IgG antibody and lymphoproliferative responses. However, IFN-gamma response could only be detected in CD4(+) splenic cells and genital lymph node cells of the AFCo1gD immunized mice upon recall antigen stimulation in vitro. Importantly, IN immunization with AFCo1gD could elicit a complete protection against an otherwise lethal vaginal challenge with HSV-2, while the AFPL1gD immunized mice were only partially protected. Further, we could show that the IFN-gamma response and protective immunity observed after IN immunization with AFCo1gD are mediated via the adaptor molecule myeloid differentiation factor 88. These data may have implications for the development of a mucosal vaccine against genital herpes.

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