Guinea Pig and Mouse Models for Genital Herpes Infection

Abstract

This article describes procedures for two preclinical animal models for genital herpes infection. The guinea pig model shares many features of genital herpes in humans, including a natural route of inoculation, self‐limiting primary vulvovaginitis, spontaneous recurrences, symptomatic and subclinical shedding of HSV‐2, and latent infection of the associated sensory ganglia (lumbosacral dorsal root ganglia, DRG). Many humoral and cytokine responses to HSV‐2 infection in the guinea pig have been characterized; however, due to the limited availability of immunological reagents, assessments of cellular immune responses are lacking. In contrast, the mouse model has been important in assessing cellular immune responses to herpes infection. Both the mouse and guinea pig models have been extremely useful for evaluating preventative and immunotherapeutic approaches for controlling HSV infection and recurrent disease. In this article, we describe procedures for infecting guinea pigs and mice with HSV‐2, scoring subsequent genital disease, and measuring replicating virus to confirm infection. We also provide detailed protocols for dissecting and isolating DRG (the site of HSV‐2 latency), quantifying HSV‐2 genomic copies in DRG, and assessing symptomatic and subclinical shedding of HSV‐2 in the vagina. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Primary and recurrent genital herpes infection in the guinea pig model Support Protocol 1: Blood collection via lateral saphenous vein or by cardiac puncture after euthanasia Support Protocol 2: Dissection and isolation of dorsal root ganglia from guinea pigs Support Protocol 3: PCR amplification and quantification of HSV‐2 genomic DNA from samples Basic Protocol 2: Primary genital herpes infection in the mouse model Alternate Protocol: Flank infection with HSV‐2 in the mouse model Support Protocol 4: Dissection and isolation of mouse dorsal root ganglia

Inhibition Effects and Mechanisms of Marine Polysaccharide PSSD against Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2

“…The anti-HSV-2 effects of PSSD were further tested in an HSV-2-induced murine genital herpes model [ 21 ]. As shown in Figure 5 a,b, the mice body weight of the virus control group continuously reduced and sharply decreased after day 7 p.i.…”

“…The HSV-2-induced murine genital herpes model has been established and used for studying the anti-HSV-2 effects of PSSD in vivo [ 21 ]. Herein, we found that vaginal gel treatment of PSSD significantly reduced the symptoms of genital herpes and inhibited HSV multiplication in the reproductive tract of mice.…”

Novel Adjuvant S-540956 Targets Lymph Nodes and Reduces Genital Recurrences and Vaginal Shedding of HSV-2 DNA When Administered with HSV-2 Glycoprotein D as a Therapeutic Vaccine in Guinea Pigs

“…Female guinea pigs were infected intravaginally with 2 × 10 5 plaque-forming units of HSV-2 strain MS that had been passaged in a cell culture to attenuate lethality [ 21 ]. Animals were randomized into equal groups based on the number of days with genital lesions for the first 14 days post-infection.…”

“…S-540956 acts as a potent cancer vaccine adjuvant by targeting draining lymph nodes [ 20 ]. We assessed the potency of S-540956 as a component of a therapeutic vaccine for genital herpes using a guinea pig genital herpes model [ 21 , 22 ]. We administered S-540956 with HSV-2 gD2 subunit protein to guinea pigs previously infected intravaginally with HSV-2, and evaluated the recurrent genital lesions and vaginal shedding of HSV-2 DNA.…”

Primary Oral or Intramuscular Vaccination Followed by a Vaginal Pull Combine to Reduce Recurrent Genital Pathology in HSV-Infected Guinea Pigs

“…Guinea pig pathology was monitored daily and scored as follows; 0, no redness/disease; 1, redness and/or swelling; 2, a few small vesicles; 3, several large vesicles; 4, several large ulcers with skin breakages. At stage 4, guinea pigs were euthanised as a humane endpoint [12].…”