In one embodiment, the invention provides an HSV vector comprising a mutant gB and/or a mutant gH glycoprotein, where the viral envelope further comprises a non-native ligand specific for a protein present on the surface of a predetermined cell type. In another embodiment, the invention provides an HSV vector comprising (a) a mutant gC and/or gD envelope glycoprotein which comprises a non-native ligand specific for a protein present on the surface of a predetermined cell type; and (b) a mutant envelope glycoprotein other than gD.

The present invention provides an HSV vector comprising an envelope comprising one or more mutant gB and/or gH envelope glycoproteins, whereby the HSV vector exhibits at least 25% increased rate-of-entry after 20 minutes when assayed at 30 C. or 37 C. in Vero cells after first incubating at 4 C. relative to a control HSV comprising wild-type gB and gH glycoproteins. The invention also provides a viral stock comprising the inventive HSV vector.

The invention provides modified HSV vectors that exhibit enhanced entry of cells, either through direct infection and/or lateral spread. In one aspect, HSV vectors of the present invention can directly infect cells through interaction with cell proteins other than typical mediators of HSV infection. In another aspect, the invention provides an HSV vector, which exhibits lateral spread in cells typically resistant to HSV lateral spread, such as cells lacking gD receptors. The invention further provides DNA encoding mutant forms of the HSV gB and gH glycoproteins, stocks of the inventive virus, and methods for effecting viral targeting and efficient entry of cells. The invention also pertains to the use of the inventive vectors for treating cancers.

The present invention is directed to Herpes simplex-2 viruses that may be used in vaccines to immunize patients against genital herpes.

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

The present disclosure provides recombinant nucleic acids comprising one or more polynucleotides encoding an ichthyosis-associated polypeptide; viruses comprising the recombinant nucleic acids; compositions comprising the recombinant nucleic acids and/or viruses; methods of their use; and articles of manufacture or kits thereof.

The disclosure provides a non-natural herpes simplex virus (HSV), compositions comprising, or alternatively consisting essentially of, or yet further consisting of the HSV, and methods of producing the HSV, or infecting a cell with the HSV. Also provided herein are methods of treating cancer or inhibiting the growth or metastasis of cancer cell in a subject in need thereof.