Combatting HSV Infections with Comprehensive Antigen Tools

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are among the most common viral infections worldwide, affecting billions of people. While many cases are mild or asymptomatic, HSV can pose significant health risks and testing can help vulnerable populations. The Native Antigen Company offers a range of recombinant proteins from HSV-1 and HSV-2.

What is herpes?

Herpes is an infection with one of two closely related viruses, herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) [1].

These infections are usually characterized by painful blisters or sores, typically appearing on the mouth or genital area. While both types can infect either location, HSV-1 is more commonly associated with oral infections, and HSV-2 is more frequently linked to genital infections [2] The virus spreads through direct contact with an infected person's skin or bodily fluids, such as kissing or sharing personal items (HSV-1), sexual contact (HSV-2), or transmission from mother to baby during childbirth. Once infected, the virus remains in the body for life, lying dormant in nerve cells and potentially reactivating periodically, causing outbreaks.

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 3.8 billion people under age 50 (64%) globally have HSV-1, while 520 million people aged 15–49 (13%) have HSV-2, making it one of the most common infections worldwide [2].

While most of these infections are asymptomatic or mild, they can lead to significant health complications, for example:

• Neonatal Herpes: If a pregnant individual has an active HSV infection, the virus can be transmitted to the baby during delivery or shortly after birth, leading to neonatal herpes. Babies are particularly vulnerable because their immune systems are not fully developed, making the infection potentially life-threatening. In severe cases, the virus can spread to the central nervous system and other organs, leading to complications such as seizures, developmental delays, blindness and even death. [3, 4].
• Congenital Infections: Although rare, it is possible that the virus is passed to the foetus across the placenta during pregnancy. Infants with congenital herpes may experience developmental abnormalities, skin lesions, organ damage, and neurological issues. In severe cases, the infection can result in miscarriage or stillbirth. [5].
• Increased Risk of HIV: HSV-2 increases susceptibility to HIV infection approximately three-fold, as affected areas facilitate entry of HIV [6].
• Neurological Complications: In rare cases, HSV can cause meningitis, encephalitis, myelitis, or lumbosacral radiculitis, affecting brain and spinal cord function [7].

Antiviral therapies can prevent neonatal herpes or congenital infections, e.g. by treating the expecting mother with antiviral therapeutics, or delivering the child by C-section. In cases where infection of the child does occur, early is testing is vital in order to start a suitable therapy in a timely manner. Therefore, testing is required as soon as a herpes infection is suspected. Testing can also be beneficial in other cases, e.g. it can enable the infected person to make informed choices [2-4].

HSV Glycoproteins for Serological Detection

HSV-1 and HSV-2 are closely related viruses that diverged about 6 million years ago [8]. They are enveloped viruses with a linear genome of 150,000 base pairs that contains about 84 genes [9]. The genome is encased in a nuclear capsid, and this assembly is finally wrapped in an envelope consisting of a lipid bilayer and surface proteins [10].

The glycoproteins on the surface of the envelope, which are involved in cell recognition and facilitating virus entry, have been show to be particularly useful in the serological detection of HSV [11]. The Native Antigen Company offers a variety of purified HSV-1 and HSV2 glycoproteins, expressed as recombinant proteins in HEK293 cells:

HSV-1 gG (REC32130) & HSV-2 gG (REC32123, REC32125):

Glycoprotein G (gG)is commonly used for distinguishing between HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections [12]. While many proteins show a high degree of conservation between the two virus species, gG-1 and gG-2 are serologically distinct due to the presence of a region of additional 526 amino acids in gG-2 [13].

HSV-1 gB (REC32135) & HSV-2 gB (REC32138):

Glycoprotein B (gB) is the most conserved protein of the virus’ cell entry mechanism [14]. It has been suggested as a potential candidate for the development of a Herpes vaccine [15].

HSV-1 gC (REC32126) & HSV-2 gC (REC32120):

Another protein of the cell entry machinery, glycoprotein C (gC) has been suggested as another target for the detection of herpes infections [11].

HSV-1 gD (REC32127) & HSV-2 gD (REC32121):

Glycoprotein D binds to receptors on the surface of human cells, a process necessary for infection [16]. Similar to gB, it has been suggested as a potential ingredient for a HSV vaccine [17].

With an expanding portfolio of antigens and antibodies for ToRCH testing, including our recombinant solutions, we continue to provide innovative and reliable tools for infectious disease research and diagnostics.

Visit our website, by clicking an icon below, for information on our growing portfolio of native and recombinant antigens and antibodies including:

Bulk quantities are available, please contact us here to learn more.

References

1. Wertheim et al, Evolutionary Origins of Human Herpes Simplex Viruses 1 and 2. Mol. Biol. Evol. 2014;31(9):2356–2364
2. World Health Organisation. Herpes simplex virus fact sheet. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/herpes-simplex-virus
3. National Health Service, Conditions, Neonatal Herpes. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/neonatal-herpes/
4. University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, Management of Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infection. https://www.bsuh.nhs.uk/tmbu/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2022/01/Management-of-Neonatal-Herpes-Simplex-Virus-Infection-2021.pdf
5. Fernandes et al, Congenital Herpes Simplex. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan. Last updated 2024 Apr 21
6. Looker et al, Effect of HSV-2 infection on subsequent HIV acquisition: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet. 2017;17(12):1303–1316
7. Ajith Kumar et al, Herpes Simplex Encephalitis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan. Last Updated: 2024 Jan 19.
8. Casto et al, Large, Stable, Contemporary Interspecies Recombination Events in Circulating Human Herpes Simplex Viruses. J Infect Dis. 2020; 221:1271–9
9. Rajcàni et al, Peculiarities of herpes simplex virus (HSV) transcription: an overview. Virus Genes. 2004; 28(3):293-310
10. Mettenleiter et al, Herpesvirus assembly: a tale of two membranes. Curr Opin Microbiol. 2006;9(4):423-9
11. Kalantari-Dehaghi et al, Discovery of potential diagnostic and vaccine antigens in herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 by proteome-wide antibody profiling. J Virol. 2012;86(8):4328-39
12. Hashido et al, Detection of Herpes Simplex Virus Type-Specific Antibodies by an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Based on Glycoprotein G. J Med Virol. 1997;53(4):319-23
13. McGeoch et al, DNA Sequence and Genetic Content of the HindlIl ! Region in the Short Unique Component of the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Genome: Identification of the Gene Encoding Glycoprotein G, and Evolutionary Comparisons. J Gen Virol. 1987;68:19-38
14. Heldwein et al, Crystal Structure of Glycoprotein B from Herpes Simplex Virus 1. Science. 2006;313(5784):217-20
15. Straus et al, Immunotherapy of Recurrent Genital Herpes with Recombinant Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Glycoproteins D and B: Results of a Placebo-Controlled Vaccine Trial. J Infect Dis. 1997;176(5):1129-34
16. Carfi et al, Herpes Simplex Virus Glycoprotein D Bound to the Human Receptor HveA. Mol Cell. 2001;8(1):169-79
17. Stanberry et al, Glycoprotein-D-adjuvant vaccine to prevent genital herpes. N Engl J Med. 2002;347(21):1652-61