{
  "abstract": "Herpes zoster (HZ), caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation, is common in older adults with declining cell-mediated immune protection. A modestly efficacious live attenuated (ZVL) and a highly efficacious recombinant adjuvanted (RZV) zoster vaccine protect against HZ. To uncover the mechanism(s) associated with the superior efficacy of RZV, we developed a controlled human infection model consisting of intradermal administration of attenuated vOka VZV to older adults previously vaccinated with RZV or ZVL. Infiltration of VZV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell clonotypes at the infection site was quicker and higher in RZV than ZVL recipients [≥]5 years post-immunization due to the persistence of RZV-induced gE-reactive CD4+ and CD8+ T cell clonotypes in blood. High CD4+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte frequencies in blood on Day 1 post-inoculation predicted control of VZV replication. Persistence of circulating RZV-induced CD4+ and CD8+ CTL and rapid migration to sites of VZV replication are potential mechanisms underlying durable protection against HZ.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus"
  ],
  "article_type": "PUBLISHAHEADOFPRINT",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 17,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "M. J. Johnson"
    },
    {
      "name": "T. Vu"
    },
    {
      "name": "E. S. Ford"
    },
    {
      "name": "L. Jing"
    },
    {
      "name": "K. Jordan"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Brown"
    },
    {
      "name": "S. Li"
    },
    {
      "name": "T. Schedin"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Crotteau"
    },
    {
      "name": "J. Canniff"
    },
    {
      "name": "A. Bennett"
    },
    {
      "name": "N. Weaver"
    },
    {
      "name": "K. J. Laing"
    },
    {
      "name": "S. Frietze"
    },
    {
      "name": "D. M. Koelle"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. J. Levin"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "A. Weinberg"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fxr1pgm126hps.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.09.22.26363709",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.22.26363709v1.full",
  "id": "fxr1pgm126hps",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.22.26363709v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "medrxiv",
      "allergy and immunology"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2713|Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7214347253",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.22.26363709v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-22",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fxr1pgm126hps.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:19:23Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.09.22.26363709",
      "source": "medrxiv",
      "url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.22.26363709v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2713|Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments",
      "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Experimental model of VZV reactivation reveals vaccine-induced mechanisms of protection against herpes zoster",
  "title_text": "Experimental model of VZV reactivation reveals vaccine-induced mechanisms of protection against herpes zoster",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:19:23Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fxr1pgm126hps",
  "venue": "medRxiv",
  "versions": []
}