Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to micro RN As and, in particular, to viral microRNAs expressed by Herpes Simplex Vims 1 (HSV-1) or Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV-2), to agents that inhibit such microRNAs and to methods of treatment based on the use of such agents.

Abstract: The invention provides a microbicidal composition comprising at least one siRNA. The siRNA is an RNA duplex made of one or two molecules. A portion of the siRNA is identical to a target sequence in an essential gene of a virus. The virus may be a herpesvirus, for example, HSV-1 or HSV-2. Preferably, the herpesvirus is HSV-2. The microbicidal composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Also included in the invention are methods to prevent and treat viral infections by administration of the microbicidal composition. Preferably, the microbicidal composition is administered transmucosally.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to micro RN As and. in particular, to viral microRNAs expressed by Herpes Simplex Vims 1 (HSV-1) or Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV-2), to agents that inhibit such microRNAs and to methods of treatment based on the use of such agents.

Abstract: The invention provides a microbicidal composition comprising at least one siRNA. The siRNA is an RNA duplex made of one or two molecules. A portion of the siRNA is identical to a target sequence in an essential gene of a virus. The virus may be a herpesvirus, for example, HSV-1 or HSV-2. Preferably, the herpesvirus is HSV-2. The microbicidal composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Also included in the invention are methods to prevent and treat viral infections by administration of the microbicidal composition. Preferably, the microbicidal composition is administered transmucosally.

Abstract: The invention generally provides therapeutic and prophylactic compositions that include a replication defective mutant HSV-2 virus having a mutation in a viral host shut-off protein, a herpes simplex virus having a mutation in a viral host shut-off protein and two additional mutations that render the virus replication defective, and related methods.

Abstract: The invention provides a microbicidal composition comprising at least one siRNA. The siRNA is an RNA duplex made of one or two molecules. A portion of the siRNA is identical to a target sequence in an essential gene of a virus. The virus may be a herpesvirus, for example, HSV-1 or HSV-2. Preferably, the herpesvirus is HSV-2. The microbicidal composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Also included in the invention are methods to prevent and treat viral infections by administration of the microbicidal composition. Preferably, the microbicidal composition is administered transmucosally.

Abstract: A herpesvirus vaccine comprising a mutated herpesvirus suspended in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The mutated herpesvirus is capable of infecting cells of the mammal to be vaccinated, but incapable of completing a replicative cycle, and it is capable of eliciting a protective immune response in that mammal. The mutated herpesvirus is also capable of treating immunomodulatory or immunoregulatory diseases. The mutation occurs in at least one gene encoding a protein essential for replication of the virus, so that the mutation renders the virus replication defective.

Abstract: A replication defective herpes virus vector is described. The replication defective herpes virus vector has a deletion of at least a fragment of a UL29 gene that is replaced with a heterologous sequence encoding an antigen from a specific infectious disease agent. The vector can express said antigen. Prior HSV infection did not diminish the magnitude or the durability of the IgG antibody response generated by preferred replication-defective HSV-1 vectors. A method of inducing in a mammal an immune response against a specific infectious disease agent also is described. A recombinant replication defective mutant Herpes Simplex Virus as a vaccine is administered to a mammal to elicit in the mammal an immune response against the infectious disease causing agent.