Although virology and immunology are now considered separate
disciplines, history shows that these areas ofinvestigation always
overlapped and one cannot really exist without the other. This trend has
become particularly significant and fruitful in the past few years in
the area of herpesvirus research. The genomes of the most important
herpesviruses have been sequenced, a significant portion of their genes
have been identified, and many secrets of regulation of gene expr- sion
have been unraveled. Now this progress sets the stage for a true
revolution in herpesvirus research: analysis of interactions between the
host and the virus. Because herpesviruses can induce, suppress, and fool
the immune system, the most productive herpesvirologists are also expert
immunologists, and the current results ofthis interdisciplinary effort
are truly remarkable. Because herpesviruses cause many important human
diseases, the devel- ment of vaccines against these agents is a very
significant goal. This effort is also very challenging because of the
complexity of herpesviruses and the lack of sufficient information about
immune responses. The remarkable ability of herpesviruses to escape
immune responses is - other feature that brings immunology and virology
together. Herpesviruses - code many proteins that interact with and
down-regulate some key elements of the immune system. Thisproperty of
herpesviruses represents amajor challenge in developing strategies
against these viruses. On the positive side, these viral proteins also
provide novel tools for analyzing specific immune reactions and
molecular mechanisms.
