Novel intron fragments are provided. The intron fragments can increase gene expression to levels equal to or higher than those achieved by the full-length intron while maintaining their ability to increase gene expression even when combined with various types of promoters and splicing donors. Particularly, the intron fragments enable loading of larger transgenes when used in genetic information delivery systems whose size is limited, for example, adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) and rhabdoviruses. Therefore, the use of the intron fragments is expected to extend the range of therapeutic genes.

The present invention relates to compositions comprising HSV antigens and methods for their use in the treatment or prevention of asymptomatic and symptomatic herpesvirus infection, or recurrence.

The present disclosure provides recombinant nucleic acids comprising one or more polynucleotides encoding an immunomodulatory polypeptide (e.g., a pro-inflammatory cytokine such as a human IL-2 or IL-12 polypeptide); viruses comprising the recombinant nucleic acids; compositions and formulations comprising the recombinant nucleic acids and/or viruses; methods of their use (e.g., for the treatment of cancer, such as lung cancer); and articles of manufacture or kits thereof.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) ribonucleic acid (RNA) vaccines, as well as methods of using the vaccines and compositions comprising the vaccines. In a preferred embodiment, the vaccine is formulated as a lipid nanoparticle comprising at least one cationic lipid.

Compositions for the prevention and treatment of genital herpes, comprising nucleoside modified mRNAs that encode herpes simplex virus (HSV) glycoproteins, including those involved in virus entry and immune evasion, and methods of use thereof.

In certain aspects, the disclosure relates to a virus engineered to comprise one or more polynucleotides that promote thanotransmission by a target cell. Thanotransmission is communication between cells that is a result of activation of a cell turnover pathway in a target cell, which signals a responding cell to undergo a biological response. Methods of promoting thanotransmission by a target cell, methods of promoting an immune response in a subject, and methods of treating cancer in a subject are also disclosed.

An anterograde monosynaptic transneuronal viral tracer system for mapping the direct postsynaptic targets of neurons in a given brain nucleus comprises a tracer H129-derived recombinant HSV-1 virion; and a helper AAV2/9-derived recombinant AAV2/9 virion; wherein the tracer H129-derived recombinant HSV-1 virion comprises a recombinant HSV-1-H129 viral genome with an impaired gK gene, and a mutant gK protein that pseudotypes the tracer H129-derived recombinant HSV-1 virion; and wherein the helper AAV2/9-derived recombinant AAV2/9 virion comprises a recombinant AAV2/9 viral genome that contains an HSV-1 H129 wild-type gK encoding sequence.

Disclosed are novel modified viruses comprising recombinant PTEN-Long and methods of using the same for treating cancer.

The present disclosure provides recombinant nucleic acids comprising one or more polynucleotides encoding an immunomodulatory polypeptide (e.g., a pro-inflammatory cytokine such as a human IL-2 or IL-12 polypeptide); viruses comprising the recombinant nucleic acids; compositions and formulations comprising the recombinant nucleic acids and/or viruses; methods of their use (e.g., for the treatment of cancer, such as lung cancer); and articles of manufacture or kits thereof.

Disclosed herein are polypeptides for use in treating diseases. Therapeutic uses and methods for treating diseases are also disclosed. Also disclosed is a method and associated peptides and nucleic acids for active, long-term delivery of therapeutic molecules to target cells in vivo or in vitro.