Herpes simplex virus-infected cell

"HSV-infected cells expressing viral glycoproteins and immediate-early proteins" refers to host cells undergoing the lytic phase of a Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1 or HSV-2) infection. These cells are characterized by the sequential expression of viral proteins, starting with immediate-early (IE) proteins like ICP0 and ICP4, which regulate viral transcription and evade host defenses (PubMed: 11831707). Subsequently, viral glycoproteins such as gB, gC, gD, and the gH/gL complex are synthesized and transported to the cell surface, where they mediate viral attachment and membrane fusion (UniProt: P06437). These surface-expressed glycoproteins serve as critical targets for the host immune system and for therapeutic interventions, including neutralizing antibodies and entry inhibitors (PubMed: 31511388). While traditional nucleoside analogs like acyclovir target the viral DNA polymerase within these cells, novel immunotherapies aim to leverage the presence of surface glycoproteins to induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). A major challenge in targeting these cells is the virus's ability to establish a latent infection in sensory neurons, where protein expression is largely silenced, rendering the virus invisible to most current treatments (PubMed: 24428469).

Other names

HSV-infected cellsHerpes simplex virus-infected cellsHSV-1/2 infected cells

Viral DNA polymerase inhibition, Viral helicase-primase inhibition, Viral entry inhibition, Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC)