Antibodies targeting HSV glycoprotein B require effector functions to protect neonatal mice

Matthew D. Slein; Lesle M Jimenez; Iara M. Backes; Evelyn M. Turnbaugh; Callaghan R. Garland; Scott W. MacDonald; Alejandro Benjamin Balazs; David A. Leib; Margaret E. Ackerman

doi:10.1128/jvi.00050-26

ImmunologyJournal of VirologyMar 9, 2026

Peer-reviewed journal article

Antibodies targeting HSV glycoprotein B require effector functions to protect neonatal mice

Matthew D. Slein iD, Lesle M Jimenez iD, Iara M. Backes iD, Evelyn M. Turnbaugh iD, Callaghan R. Garland iD, Scott W. MacDonald iD, Alejandro Benjamin Balazs iD, David A. Leib iD, Margaret E. Ackerman iD

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Abstract

Glycoprotein B (gB) serves as the viral fusion protein for herpes simplex virus (HSV), mediating fusion between viral and host membranes resulting in infection. As such, gB represents a potentially critical target for the host immune system with high potential relevance for vaccine design. Here we investigated the mechanisms of protection for a panel of gB-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb) in a mouse model of neonatal HSV (nHSV) infection. Viral neutralization contributed, but Fc effector functions were critical for mAb-mediated protection against nHSV mortality, depending on dose. Moreover, AAV-mediated in vivo expression of a gB-specific mAb in mice provided transgenerational protection against HSV-1 and HSV-2 mortality in their offspring. These findings demonstrate that antibodies targeting gB can serve as potent therapeutics and that they require diverse functional profiles to afford optimal protection, informing vaccine design.