Native HSV Glycoprotein D Subunit Vaccine: Analysis of in Vitro T-Cell Activation and Antigen Presentation*

Native herpes simplex virus (HSV) glycoprotein D (ngD1) subunit vaccine, a potential human vaccine candidate, was examined to determine responsive murine lymphocyte populations in vitro. This vaccine preparation has been shown to protect against HSV challenge in mice and guinea pigs and to elicit humoral and cellular responses in rodents and primates. Immunized BALB/c mice were used in splenocyte lymphoproliferative studies to analyze the cellular response. After in vivo sensitization, the in vitro proliferative response observed appears to be resultant of Class II-restricted T-cell division in response to gD presented in the context of macrophage-expressed Ia.