Systemic immunodominant CD8 responses with an effector-like phenotype are induced by intravaginal immunization with attenuated HSV vectors expressing HIV Tat and mediate protection against HSV infection

IVag immunization, in particular with HSV1-Tat, compared to ID immunization, induced the differentiation of CD8+ T lymphocytes into short-lived effector (SLEC) and effector memory (Tem) cells, generating more robust recall responses associated with increased control of virus replication. Notably, systemic SLEC and Tem contributed to generate protective local secondary responses, demonstrating their importance for mucosal control of HSV. Finally, IgG responses were observed mostly in IVag HSV1-Tat immunized animals, although seemed dispensable for protection, which occurred even in few IgG negative mice. Thus, HSV1 vectors expressing Tat induce protective anti-HSV1 immune responses.