Abstract
Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) is a neurotropic, double-stranded DNA virus that can cause a wide variety of diseases, including many ocular pathologies. It is one of the leading causes of infectious blindness in the United States. Because of its ubiquitous nature and its potential to cause serious ocular maladies, there is a significant need for more effective antiviral therapies against ocular HSV-1. In this review, we discuss the lifecycle of HSV-1 as it pertains to corneal infections and the clinically approved as well as emerging treatments to combat HSV-1 infections. We also highlight some newly identified host targets for the antiviral drug development.
Highlights
Herpesviruses are a group of double-stranded DNA viruses that commonly infect humans [1]
BX795 is a well-known inhibitor of PDK1, and its downstream effects result in the inhibition of many other kinases including TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), Aurora B kinase, and IkB kinase (IKK) [85]
It should be noted that BX795 does not exhibit any synergy with other common antivirals, including trifluorothymidine and acyclovir [86]
Summary
Herpesviruses are a group of double-stranded DNA viruses that commonly infect humans [1]. The human viruses included in alpha-subfamily are herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1), HSV-2, and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) [2]. On US soil, the prevalence among those under the poverty line is 52%, more than double the rate of those above the poverty line [3] These epidemiological findings suggest that, from a macro perspective, improvements in economic development and public health may reduce the prevalence of HSV-1. During a primary infection HSV-1 first infects the human eye at the corneal epithelium [7]. HSV-1 establishes an episomal latent infection: Instead of integrating its genome into the host’s DNA like retroviruses, it can store its genome in the nucleus of a host cell. We highlight some newly identified host targets for the antiviral drug development
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