Finally, the d106S virus-based vectors express 10-fold higher levels of transgenes than adenovirus 5-based vectors, thereby enhancing the vaccine efficiency.

As such, this vector induces a strong priming immune response.

Second, the HSV replication-defective vectors induce a strong Th1 helper T cell response. First, although HSV-1 is a common infection, pre-existing HSV-1 immunity has little impact on the efficacy of the HSV-1 vaccine vectors in a mouse model. The team is seeking industrial collaboration with COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers to ensure robust and persistent immune responses.ĭeveloping the HSV-1 d106S vector with the SARS-CoV-2 virus spike protein antigen offers many advantages over existing vaccine vector technologies. This vectored antigen serves as a proof of concept to integrate the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) spike protein antigen into the HSV-1 d106S vector platform, given the striking similarity between SARS and COVID-19. Further, the vector has a low toxicity profile and avoids concerns with unintended off-target reactions observed with traditional viral vectors as a result of its non-replicating behavior.Īmong the vectored antigens developed in the lab is the SARS virus spike protein. The vector can express viral, bacterial, or cancer gene products and has been used to induce protective immunity in humanized mice against HIV and rhesus macaques against simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). Researchers in the lab of David Knipe have constructed the HSV-1 based vaccine vector HSV-1 d106S.

Herpes linked to covid vaccine