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Immunological Control of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Infection: A Non-Thermal Plasma-Based Approach
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Immunological Control of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Infection: A Non-Thermal Plasma-Based Approach

Julia Sutter, Jenna L Hope, Brian Wigdahl, Vandana A Miller and Fred C. Krebs
Viruses, v 17(5), 600
23 Apr 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/v17050600
PMID: 40431612
Featured in Collection :   Research Supported by Drexel Libraries' OA Programs
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https://doi.org/10.3390/v17050600View
Published, Version of Record (VoR)Open Access Discount via Drexel Libraries Read and Publish Program 2025CC BY V4.0,  Open

Abstract

non-thermal plasma cold atmospheric plasma gas plasma immunotherapy antiviral CD8(+) T cell latent infection reactivation Immunotherapy
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) causes a lifelong infection due to latency established in the trigeminal ganglia, which is the source of recurrent outbreaks of cold sores. The lifelong persistence of HSV-1 is further facilitated by the lack of cure strategies, unsuccessful vaccine development, and the inability of the host immune system to clear HSV-1. Despite the inefficiencies of the immune system, the course of HSV-1 infection remains under strict immunological control. Specifically, HSV-1 is controlled by a CD8+ T cell response that is cytotoxic to HSV-1-infected cells, restricts acute infection, and uses noncytolytic mechanisms to suppress reactivation in the TG. When this CD8+ T cell response is disrupted, reactivation of latent HSV-1 occurs. With antiviral therapies unable to cure HSV-1 and prophylactic vaccine strategies failing to stimulate a protective response, we propose non-thermal plasma (NTP) as a potential therapy effective against recurrent HSV-1 infection. We have demonstrated that NTP, when applied directly to HSV-1-infected cells, has antiviral effects and stimulates cellular stress and immunomodulatory responses. We further propose that the direct effects of NTP will lead to long-lasting indirect effects such as reduced viral seeding into the TG and enhanced HSV-1-specific CD8+ T cell responses that exert greater immune control over HSV-1 infection.

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Web of Science research areas
Virology
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