Toll-Like Receptor (TLR)-3, but Not TLR4, Agonist Protects against Genital Herpes Infection in the Absence of Inflammation Seen with CpG DNA

We previously demonstrated that delivery of CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) to vaginal mucosa induced an innate mucosal antiviral state that protected against intravaginal challenge with herpes simplex virus (HSV)-2. We report that mucosal, but not systemic, delivery of ligands for Toll-like receptor (TLR)-3, but not TLR4, induced protection against genital HSV-2 challenge that was not accompanied by the local inflammation and splenomegaly seen …