Medical application of herpes simplex virus.

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) are important human pathogens that cause a variety of diseases from mild skin diseases such as herpes labialis and herpes genitalis to life-threatening diseases such as herpes encephalitis and neonatal herpes. A number of studies have elucidated the roles of this virus in viral replication and pathogenicity, the regulation of gene expression, interaction with the host cell and immune evasion from the host system. This research has allowed the development of potential therapeutic agents and vectors for human diseases. This review focuses on the basic functions and roles of HSV gene products and reviews the current knowledge of medical applications of genetically engineered HSV mutants using different strategies. These major HSV-derived vectors include: (i) amplicons for gene delivery vectors; (ii) replication-defective HSV recombinants for vaccine vectors; (iii) replication-attenuated HSV recombinants for oncolytic virotherapy.

• Authors: Daisuke Watanabe
• Journal: Journal of dermatological science (J Dermatol Sci) Vol. 57 Issue 2 Pg. 75-82 (Feb 2010) ISSN: 1873-569X [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 19939634 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright 2009 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Vaccines
• Viral Proteins

Topics

• Animals
• Biological Therapy
• Gene Transfer Techniques
• Genetic Engineering
• Genetic Vectors
• Humans
• Mutation
• Oncolytic Virotherapy
• Simplexvirus (genetics, physiology)
• Vaccines
• Viral Proteins (physiology)
• Virus Replication