EPITOPES CROSS-REACTIVE BETWEEN HSV-1, HSV-2 AND VZV AND METHODS FOR USING SAME

摘要

The invention provides epitopes of HSV and VZV that are cross-reactive and are useful for the prevention and treatment of alphaherpesvirus infection. T-cells having specificity for antigens of the invention have demonstrated cytotoxic activity against cells loaded with virally-encoded peptide epitopes, and in many cases, against whole virus. The identification of immunogenic antigens responsible for T-cell specificity provides improved anti-viral therapeutic and prophylactic strategies. Compositions containing epitopes or polynucleotides encoding epitopes of the invention provide effectively targeted vaccines for prevention and treatment of alphaherpesvirus infection.