Natural infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) induces humoral and T cell responses to the HSV-1 glycoprotein H:L complex.

The glycoproteins of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) are important targets for the immune system in the control of HSV-1 infections. The humoral and T cell responses to the glycoprotein (g)H(t(His)):gL complex of HSV-1 were studied in seven HSV-1-seropositive and three HSV-1-seronegative healthy adults. In addition, responses to HSV-1 gD(t) were determined. As antigens, purified soluble recombinant forms of the gH(t(His)):gL complex produced by insect cells and of gD(t) produced by yeast cells were used. In contrast to seronegative donors, sera of all seropositive donors contained gH(t(His)): gL-specific IgG. Using peripheral blood (PB) T cells, gH(t(His)):gL-specific proliferative T cell responses were detected in all seropositive donors. Culture supernatants of PB T cells stimulated with recombinant gH(t(His)):gL contained high levels of interferon-gamma and no detectable interleukin-4, indicating their Th1 phenotype. These results show that naturally acquired HSV-1 infection induces gH:gL-specific humoral and T cell responses.