Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant herpes simplex virus (HSV), comprising (a) a mutation of the glycoprotein B (gB) at position 285 or 549, (b) a plurality of copies of one or more microRNA target sequences inserted into a locus of an HSV gene required for HSV replication, wherein said target sequence is the reverse complement of microRNA miR-124 and wherein said target sequence is present in the ICP4 gene, and (c) a transgene encoding a matrix metalloproteinase. The present invention also provides a method of killing a cancerous cell using a recombinant HSV according to the invention and a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a recombinant HSV according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for ameliorating chronic pain signaling involving transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) by expressing PP1? in neurons. The invention also provides HSV vectors for expressing PP1? within neurons and compositions comprising such vectors.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides HSV-based genome editing vectors, cell-based compositions, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for ameliorating chronic pain signaling involving transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) by expressing PP1? in neurons. The invention also provides HSV vectors for expressing PP1? within neurons and compositions comprising such vectors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant herpes simplex virus (HSV), comprising (a) a mutation of the glycoprotein B (gB) at position 285 or 549, (b) a plurality of copies of one or more microRNA target sequences inserted into a locus of an HSV gene required for HSV replication, wherein said target sequence is the reverse complement of microRNA miR-124 and wherein said target sequence is present in the ICP4 gene, and (c) a transgene encoding a matrix metalloproteinase. The present invention also provides a method of killing a cancerous cell using a recombinant HSV according to the invention and a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a recombinant HSV according to the invention.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of modulating electrophysiological activity of an excitable cell. The method involves causing exogenous expression of a glycine receptor (GlyR) protein in an excitable cell of a subject. Thereafter, the excitable cell is exposed to an allosteric modulator of the GlyR protein. Modulation of the exogenous GlyR protein (an ion channel) in response to the allosteric modulator modulates the electrophy-stological activity of the excitable cell. The method can be used to control pain in a subject. The invention further provides a replication-defective HSV vector comprising an expression cassette encoding a GlyR protein, stocks and pharmaceutical compositions containing such vectors, and a transgenic animal.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for ameliorating chronic pain signaling involving transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) by expressing PP1? in neurons. The invention also provides HSV vectors for expressing PP1? within neurons and compositions comprising such vectors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus (oHSV) comprising a non-HSV ligand specific for a molecule (protein, lipid, or carbohydrate determinant) present on the surface of a cell (such as a cancer cell) and one or more copies of one or more microRNA target sequences inserted into one or more HSV gene loci, preferably one or more HSV gene(s) required for replication of HSV in normal (i.e., non-cancerous) cells. The invention further provides stocks and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the inventive oHSV and methods for killing tumor cells employing the inventive oHSV.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus (oHSV) comprising a non-HSV ligand specific for a molecule (protein, lipid, or carbohydrate determinant) present on the surface of a cell (such as a cancer cell) and one or more copies of one or more microRNA target sequences inserted into one or more HSV gene loci, preferably one or more HSV gene(s) required for replication of HSV in normal (i.e., non-cancerous) cells. The invention further provides stocks and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the inventive oHSV and methods for killing tumor cells employing the inventive oHSV.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for ameliorating chronic pain signaling involving transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) by expressing PP1? in neurons. The invention also provides HSV vectors for expressing PP1? within neurons and compositions comprising such vectors.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of modulating electrophysiological activity of an excitable cell. The method involves causing exogenous expression of a glycine receptor (GlyR) protein in an excitable cell of a subject. Thereafter, the excitable cell is exposed to an allosteric modulator of the GlyR protein. Modulation of the exogenous GlyR protein (an ion channel) in response to the allosteric modulator modulates the electrophysiological activity of the excitable cell. The method can be used to control pain in a subject. The invention further provides a replication-defective HSV vector comprising an expression cassette encoding a GlyR protein, stocks and pharmaceutical compositions containing such vectors, and a transgenic animal.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of modulating electrophysiological activity of an excitable cell. The method involves causing exogenous expression of a glycine receptor (GlyR) protein in an excitable cell of a subject. Thereafter, the excitable cell is exposed to an allosteric modulator of the GlyR protein. Modulation of the exogenous GlyR protein (an ion channel) in response to the allosteric modulator modulates the electrophysiological activity of the excitable cell. The method can be used to control pain in a subject. The invention further provides a replication-defective HSV vector comprising an expression cassette encoding a GlyR protein, stocks and pharmaceutical compositions containing such vectors, and a transgenic animal.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of modulating electrophysiological activity of an excitable cell. The method involves causing exogenous expression of a glycine receptor (GlyR) protein in an excitable cell of a subject. Thereafter, the excitable cell is exposed to an allosteric modulator of the GlyR protein. Modulation of the exogenous GlyR protein (an ion channel) in response to the allosteric modulator modulates the electrophysiological activity of the excitable cell. The method can be used to control pain in a subject. The invention further provides a replication-defective HSV vector comprising an expression cassette encoding a GlyR protein, stocks and pharmaceutical compositions containing such vectors, and a transgenic animal.