Gene Transfer to the Nerve System Using HSV-1-Derived Amplicon Vectors

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a major human pathogen whose lifestyle is based on

a long-term dual interaction with the infected host. After initial infection and lytic replica-

tion at the body periphery, the virus enters the sensory neurons that innervate the epithelia

and establishes a lifelong latent infection in sensory ganglia. Periodic reactivation from

latency usually leads to the return of the virus to epithelial cells, where it produces secondary

lytic infections resulting in mild illness symptoms, such as cold sores.