Herpes Immunology Group
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) causes genital herpes and debilitating conditions in the immune suppressed and there is currently no vaccine. Trialed vaccines have failed to stimulate CD8 T cells, which are important for the clearance of the virus. Our lab has uncovered a “viral relay” whereby HSV is transferred between different dendritic cell (DC) subsets in human skin. By understanding the key aspects of the relay we can understand which DCs are crucial for CD8 T cell stimulation and how to target these cells with a vaccine. We also study why having HSV enhances the risk of HIV infection.
Recent publications
Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 infects Langerhans cells and the novel epidermal dendritic cell, Epi-cDC2s, via different entry pathways. Plos Pathogens. 2021. 17(4):e1009536.
April 2021
Mechanisms of Immune Control of Mucosal HSV Infection: A Guide to Rational Vaccine Design. Front Immunol.
March 2019
Understanding natural herpes simplex virus immunity to inform next-generation vaccine design. Clinical and Translational Immunology
July 2016
elay of herpes simplex virus between Langerhans cells and dermal dendritic cells in human skin.
April 2015
| NAME | ROLE |
| Prof. Tony Cunningham | Group Leader |
| Dr. Kirstie Bertram | Post-doc |
| Dr. Naomi Truong | Post-doc |
| Dona Sirimanne | Honours student |
| Past | |
| Dr. Hafsa Rana | PhD student |
| Dr. Jacinta Smith | PhD student |
| Dr. Jason Herbert | PhD student |
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