Neutralizing antibody responses induced by varicella-zoster virus gE and gB glycoproteins following infection, reactivation or immunization

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the antibody responses to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) gE and gB after natural VZV infection and after vaccination with live attenuated OKA vaccine in order to determine the relative importance of these proteins as components of a subunit vaccine. Anti-VZV antibody titers determined by IFA were of the same order of magnitude in sera from individuals with a history of varicella and in vaccinated children but higher in individuals given booster vaccination. The titers of anti-gE and anti-gB antibodies were measured by ELISA using recombinant gE or gB as capture antigen. From these experiments, it appears that the ratio of anti-gE to anti-gB antibody is highly variable from one individual to another but relatively stable over a long period of time for a particular individual, even after a zoster episode. Neutralizing antibodies directed against gE or gB were also measured by subtracting the neutralization titers obtained before and after depletion of the specific antibodies on immobilized recombinant gE, gB, or both. This showed that, with respect to neutralization, anti-gE and anti-gB are equally prevalent in vaccinated children and that anti-gE is generally, but not always, predominant over anti-gB in VZV-infected individuals. Finally, antibodies to these two glycoproteins appear to be predominant among the neutralizing antibodies directed to other VZV antigens.

Human Anti-Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) Recombinant Monoclonal Antibody Produced after Zostavax Immunization Recognizes the gH/gL Complex and Neutralizes VZV Infection

“…In addition to mediating virus entry, VZV glycoproteins can traffic from infected cells to uninfected cells (5). VZV glycoproteins induce strong humoral immune responses both in naturally infected individuals and in varicella or zoster vaccine recipients (6)(7)(8)(9)(10). While VZV gE is the most immunogenic and predominant glycoprotein in VZV-infected cell membranes, antibodies to VZV gH are the major neutralizing antibodies (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16).…”

Identification of Two N-Linked Glycosylation Sites within the Core of the Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Glycoprotein Whose Removal Enhances Sensitivity to Soluble CD4

“…Vaccine-induced protection against a number of viral pathogens correlates well with neutralizing antibody (Ab) titers (2,17,20,53). Some have suggested that the most effective vaccine against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is likely to be one capable of eliciting strong, broadly reactive neutralizing antibody responses to Env as well as broad-spectrum cellular immune responses.…”

Microbiology laboratory and the management of mother-child varicella-zoster virus infection

“…Humoral immunity is expressed as the production of antibodies against components of the capsomere and surface glycoproteins [71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78] . The antibodies against the surface glycoprotein components (anti-gE, anti-gB, antigI and anti-gH) are particularly neutralising [79][80][81] . In the acute phase, IgM antibodies appear 1-7 d after the rash, peak after 14 d (range 7-30), and generally disappear during convalescence, although they may persist for several months [82][83][84] .…”