Nasal and skin delivery of IC31®-adjuvanted recombinant HSV-2 gD protein confers protection against genital herpes

► Immunization of mice with gD plus IC31® elicits serum antibodies with HSV-2 neutralizing activity. ► Skin and nasomucosal immunization induce gD-specific antibodies in vaginas of mice immunized with IC31®-adjuvanted gD. ► Intradermal immunization with gD plus IC31® induces strong splenic lymphoproliferative and IFN-γ responses. ► Immunization of mice with gD plus IC31® confers significant protection against a lethal vaginal HSV-2 challenge.