Gene delivery and gene therapy with herpes simplex virus-based vectors

The development of efficient means of delivery genes in vivo is essential b oth for resting gene function in the intact animal and for human gene thera py procedures. A number of viral and non-viral gene delivery methods have b een developed for this purpose. OF those herpes simplex virus (HSV)-based v ectors have particular advantages for gene delivery to the nervous system i ncluding their ability to infect nondividing neurones and establish asympto matic latent infections. Moreover, considerable progress has been made, fir stly, in disabling HSV vectors so ns to prevent thr damaging effects of wil d type virus and secondly, to ensure long-term expression of the inserted t ransgene(s). These vectors thus offer a valuable tool for testing gene func tion in neuronal cells in vivo and may ultimately be safe enough for use in human gene therapy procedures. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights r eserved.