DNA vaccines for the prophylaxis and modulation of HSV infections.

There is currently no acceptable vaccine available for the control of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. This review discusses the reasons for the past failures and evaluates the prospect that a fresh approach, such as that provided by plasmid DNA encoding viral proteins, could provide a solution. The issues addressed include immune responses generated by plasmids encoding glycoproteins of HSV, the mechanism of HSV, the nature of the response in neonates, mucosal barrier immunity, attempts at improving immunogenicity of DNA vaccines and the immunomodulation potential with DNA encoding cytokines. The review concludes that DNA vaccines against HSV may merit evaluation in man, but DNA vaccine research may be more useful for uncovering mechanisms by which the immune system functions against HSV infection.