Abstract: This invention relates to the use of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) immediate early proteins ICP47 or IE12, nucleic acid sequences coding for ICP47 and IE12, and homologous proteins and nucleic acid sequences, to inhibit presentation of viral and cellular antigens associated with major histocompatibility class I (MHC class I) proteins to CD8+T lymphocytes. This inhibition effectively increases infective persistence, which can improve the utility of viral gene therapy vectors. This invention also relates to a method of inhibiting recognition of a cell by cytotoxic T lymphocytes, comprising introducing into the cell an isolated protein of ICP47 of HSV type 1 or IE12 of HSV type 2. In addition, this invention pertains to vector elements, vectors, polypeptides and polypeptide fragments that can be utilized for these purposes.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) immediate early protein ICP47, nucleic acid sequences coding for ICP47, and homologous proteins and nucleic acid sequences, to inhibit presentation of viral and cellular antigens associated with major histocompatibility class I (MHC class I) proteins to CD8+ T lymphocytes; this inhibition effectively increases infective persistence, which can, for example, improve the utility of viral gene therapy vectors. This invention also pertains to a method for the treatment of herpesvirus infections, wherein expression and/or activity of the ICP47 protein or its homologue is inhibited in order to increase immune recognition of herpesvirus-infected cells and other cells. This invention also pertains to a method for identifying drugs that interfere with the expression or function of ICP47 and its homologues, and which are useful in treating herpesvirus infections, and also pertains to the drugs so identified.