Advancing Our Understanding of Corneal Herpes Simplex Virus-1 Immune Evasion Mechanisms and Future Therapeutics.

Abstract

Herpes stromal keratitis (HSK) is a disease that commonly affects the cornea and external eye and is caused by Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1). This virus infects approximately 66% of people worldwide; however, only a small portion of these people will develop symptoms in their lifetime. There is no cure or vaccine available for HSV-1; however, there are treatments available that aim to control the inflammation caused by the virus and prevent its recurrence. While these treatments are beneficial to those suffering with HSK, there is a need for more effective treatments to minimise the need for topical steroids, which can have harmful effects, and to prevent bouts of disease reactivation, which can lead to progressive corneal scarring and visual impairment. This review details the current understanding of HSV-1 infection and discusses potential novel treatment options including microRNAs, TLRs, mAbs, and aptamers.

• Authors: Emily Greenan, Sophie Gallagher, Rana Khalil, Conor C Murphy, Joan Ní Gabhann-Dromgoole
• Journal: Viruses (Viruses) Vol. 13 Issue 9 (09 17 2021) ISSN: 1999-4915 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 34578437 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Viral Proteins

Topics

• Animals
• Antiviral Agents (therapeutic use)
• Cornea (virology)
• Herpesvirus 1, Human (drug effects, immunology, physiology)
• Host-Pathogen Interactions
• Humans
• Immune Evasion
• Keratitis, Herpetic (drug therapy, immunology, virology)
• Viral Proteins (metabolism)
• Virus Internalization
• Virus Latency