The Holy Grail: immune control of human herpes simplex virus infection and disease.

To develop an effective vaccine against genital herpes, the mechanisms of immune control of primary and recurrent genital herpes need to be elucidated thoroughly in humans, using animal models as a guide. The types of effector cells and their main viral target/stimulator proteins are especially important. In human recurrent herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections, the major effectors are CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes and T-helper 1 cytokines, interferon-in particular. Glycoprotein D, B2-tegument proteins and proteins produced early in viral replication are stimulatory for CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes, respectively. These in vitro results are consistent with the findings of the most recent HSV vaccine trials.