HSV-2 (HHV-2) Research Reagents — Antibodies, Recombinant Proteins & ELISA Kits

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2, also designated HHV-2) is an enveloped, double-stranded DNA alphaherpesvirus closely related to HSV-1 that primarily causes genital herpes, affecting an estimated 491 million people aged 15–49 globally (WHO 2024). HSV-2 establishes lifelong latency in sacral ganglia with periodic reactivation, and is a significant cofactor for HIV acquisition (2–4× increased risk). Neonatal HSV-2 infection, acquired during vaginal delivery, carries high morbidity and mortality. Like HSV-1, the key envelope glycoproteins — gD (receptor binding via HVEM/nectin-1/nectin-2), gB (fusogen), gH/gL (fusion trigger), and gC (complement evasion) — are the primary targets for vaccine and therapeutic antibody development. Type-specific glycoprotein G (gG-2/US4) is the standard serological antigen for distinguishing HSV-2 from HSV-1.

Research Use OnlyNot for diagnostic or therapeutic use.

abinScience offers HSV-2/HHV-2-specific reagents covering gD, gB, gC, gG, gH, and gE — including monoclonal and recombinant antibodies, recombinant proteins in multiple tag formats, and ELISA kits for gD, gC, gG, and gE. Cross-reactive anti-HSV gD nanobodies and anti-gB antibodies (binding both HSV-1 and HSV-2) are also available. Manufactured by AtaGenix Laboratories (ISO 9001 & ISO 13485). Contact us for antibody pairs and bulk orders.

Key Research Targets

Glycoprotein D (gD/US6) — Primary Vaccine & Therapeutic Target
gD is the receptor-binding protein and dominant neutralizing antigen — the immunogen in GSK's Herpevac gD2/AS04 vaccine and multiple clinical-stage candidates. HSV-2 gD binds HVEM, nectin-1, and nectin-2. Available: monoclonal antibodies 1A001 (VK737025), 1A002 (VK737035), and 1A150 (VK737045); recombinant antibody Fv1040 (VK737013); recombinant gD proteins (C-His VK737011, N-GST VK737012, N-His VK737022); anti-gD pAb (VK737014); and gD ELISA Kit (VK737018).

Glycoprotein C (gC/UL44) — Complement Evasion
gC binds complement component C3b and inhibits both classical and alternative pathway activation, protecting extracellular virions from complement-mediated neutralization. gC is also a major vaccine target for eliciting complement-activating antibodies. Available: recombinant gC proteins (C-His VK701011, N-His VK701012); anti-gC pAb (VK701014); and gC ELISA Kit (VK701018).

Glycoprotein G (gG-2/US4) — Type-Specific Serological Marker
gG-2 is the standard antigen for CDC-recommended type-specific HSV-2 serology. gG shows the greatest sequence divergence between HSV-1 and HSV-2, allowing reliable serological distinction. Available: recombinant gG-2 protein N-GST (VK606012), anti-gG-2 pAb (VK606014), and gG-2 ELISA Kit (VK606018).

Glycoprotein B (gB) & gH — Entry Machinery
gB is the conserved class III fusion protein. gH triggers gB conformational change upon gD-receptor engagement. Available: anti-HSV-2 gB recombinant antibody (VK006013); gH recombinant protein N-His (VK081022) and anti-gH pAb (VK081024). Cross-reactive anti-HSV gB nanobodies from our HSV-1 page (SAA2381, Nb1_gbHSV, SAA2517) also bind HSV-2 gB.

Glycoprotein E (gE/US8) — Fc Receptor
gE forms the viral Fc receptor (gE/gI complex) for IgG immune evasion. Available: recombinant gE protein C-His (VK697011) and gE ELISA Kit (VK697018).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I perform type-specific HSV serology?
Use glycoprotein G (gG) — the only HSV glycoprotein with sufficient sequence divergence for reliable type discrimination. For HSV-2: coat ELISA plates with gG-2 protein (VK606012) or use the ready-to-use gG-2 ELISA Kit (VK606018). For HSV-1: see the gG-1 reagents on our HSV-1 page. Other glycoproteins (gD, gB, gH) show significant HSV-1/HSV-2 cross-reactivity and are not suitable for type-specific serology.

Which gD protein format is best for vaccine immunogenicity studies?
For ELISA-based assessment of gD2-specific vaccine responses: gD C-His (VK737011) provides native ectodomain conformation with minimal tag interference for plate coating. For competition assays and immunoprecipitation: gD N-His (VK737022) offers an alternative orientation. Monoclonal antibodies 1A001 and 1A002 serve as positive controls for gD binding.

Can I use HSV-1 cross-reactive antibodies for HSV-2 research?
Yes, for certain targets. Anti-gD nanobodies (SAA2253, SAA2254) and anti-gB antibodies (SAA2381, Nb1_gbHSV) from our HSV-1 page recognize conserved epitopes on both HSV types. gD and gB share ~85% sequence identity between HSV-1 and HSV-2, while gG shows only ~30% identity.

Related Herpesvirus Reagents

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HSV-1 (HHV-1) HSV-2 (HHV-2) ✓ VZV (HHV-3) EBV (HHV-4) CMV (HHV-5) Pseudorabies (PRV)