The present invention provides a recombinant herpes simplex virus (HSV), comprising (a) a mutation of the glycoprotein B (gB) at position 285 or 549, (b) a plurality of copies of one or more microRNA target sequences inserted into a locus of an HSV gene required for HSV replication, wherein said target sequence is the reverse complement of microRNA miR-124 and wherein said target sequence is present in the ICP4 gene, and (c) a transgene encoding a matrix metalloproteinase. The present invention also provides a method of killing a cancerous cell using a recombinant HSV according to the invention and a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a recombinant HSV according to the invention.

The embodiments of the present disclosure may provide an oncolytic virus vector and an application thereof. The oncolytic virus vector may comprise a recombinant nucleic acid. The recombinant nucleic acid may include: (i) a first nucleic acid fragment encoding a soluble PD-1 molecule; (ii) a second nucleic acid fragment encoding a CD86 molecule; and (iii) a third nucleic acid fragment encoding an antibody to a CD3 molecule.

Disclosed herein are high transducing replication defective herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors of McKrae strain.

Provided are improved oncolytic viruses with increased bystander cell killing and induced anti-tumor immunity. The oncolytic viruses include an oncolytic herpes virus backbone genetically modified to encode a tumor cell binding component and an immunoglobulin (Ig) binding component.

Methods for passive transfer of immunity using recombinant herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) vaccine vectors, virions thereof, compositions and vaccines comprising such.

Stimulation of target cells using light, e.g., in vivo or in vitro, is implemented using a variety of methods and devices. One example involves a vector for delivering a light-activated NpHR-based molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence that codes for light-activated NpHR-based molecule and a promoter. Either a high expression of the molecule manifests a toxicity level that is less than about 75%, or the light-activated NpHR-based proteins are expressed using at least two NpHR-based molecular variants. Each of the variants characterized in being useful for expressing a light-activated NpHR-based molecule that responds to light by producing an inhibitory current to dissuade depolarization of the neuron. Other aspects and embodiments are directed to systems, methods, kits, compositions of matter and molecules for ion pumps or for controlling inhibitory currents in a cell (e.g., in in vivo and in vitro environments).

Methods and compositions for increasing the production of recombinant proteins by introducing ICP0 to cells capable of producing a recombinant protein are encompassed. In one method, the recombinant protein is a protein that is required for the replication of a replication defective virus, wherein the recombinant protein is provided to the replication defective virus in trans.

Methods and compositions for increasing the production of recombinant proteins by introducing ICP0 to cells capable of producing a recombinant protein are encompassed. In one method, the recombinant protein is a protein that is required for the replication of a replication defective virus, wherein the recombinant protein is provided to the replication defective virus in trans.

Embodiments of nucleic acids comprise a nucleotide sequence encoding a live-attenuated chimeric Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1 (HSV-1) VC2 virus and a nucleotide sequence encoding a heterologous polypeptide operably linked to a promoter. The nucleotide sequence encoding the heterologous polypeptide can be operably linked to a promoter encoding the glycoprotein D (gD) of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) or a fragment thereof. Also provided is a live-attenuated recombinant Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1 (HSV-1) VC2 virus comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a nucleotide sequence encoding a heterologous polypeptide operably linked to a promoter.

An HSV vector comprising an expression cassette for one or more of IL12, IL15, and hIL15Receptor alpha subunit is provided.