The evaluation of the effects of herpes simplex 1 glycoprotein D and/or aluminium adjuvant used in vaccine formulations on apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) is a pathogen of significant global health concern, causing a variety of serious infections in humans. Existing antiviral treatments are limited and none ensure the complete elimination of the virus. Efforts to develop an efficacious vaccine have thus far proven inadequate, with no successful formulation to date. This thesis investigates the impact of HSV-1 gD, a pivotal viral surface protein frequently incorporated in vaccine development strategies, in conjunction with aluminum hydroxide, an adjuvant commonly used in vaccine formulations to amplify immune responses, on the induction of apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells. Significant concerns arise regarding the potential neurotoxic effects of aluminum hydroxide due to the accumulation of aluminum in the brain. This study assesses the levels of critical apoptotic molecules and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in neuroblastoma cells exposed to HSV-1 gD and aluminum hydroxide in an effort to elucidate relevant molecular pathways. The data generated suggest that aluminum hydroxide and HSV-1 gD, independently or in combination, can stimulate an increase in ROS and apoptotic activity. In this context, these findings furnish novel insights into ROS production and apoptosis, underscoring the necessity of evaluating the interactions between vaccine components during vaccine development. This challenges the prevailing perception of HSV-1 gD as an anti-apoptotic viral protein, based on the findings of the study. Further scrutiny of the molecular mechanisms mediating the observed effects of HSV-1 gD and aluminum hydroxide on apoptotic pathways is mandated. Additional research is crucial to comprehend their implications on vaccine development and efficacy.