Incorporation of CD4 into virions by a recombinant herpes simplex virus

Two herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) recombinants were constructed by inserting the human CD4 gene into the HSV-1 genome between the gC promoter and the gC structural gene. These viruses, designated K delta T/CD4 and K082/CD4, synthesized a significant quantity of CD4. CD4 was expressed on the surface of infected cells at levels substantially higher than on the surface of HUT78 cells, a CD4+ cell line. Most significantly, a small but detectable quantity of CD4 was incorporated into virions produced by the recombinant viruses. This was demonstrated both by immunoprecipitation of CD4 from purified virions and by neutralization of the recombinant virions by OKT4 and complement. These results suggest that specific virion incorporation signals are not strictly required for inclusion of glycoproteins into HSV-1 virions. It may be possible to utilize this ability to alter the host range or tissue specificity of HSV-1.