Targeting of herpes simplex virus to specific receptors

The invention relates to engineered Herpes simplex virus (HSV) particles that are targeted to one or more specific receptors. Also, recombinant vectors for producing such HSV particles. By reducing the affinity of HSV for its natural receptor(s) and increasing the affinity for a selected receptor, the HSV particles of the invention may be used for targeting cells that express the selected receptor. The ability to selectively target cells renders the HSV particles particularly useful in selectively killing the selected receptor-bearing cells (such as tumor cells), imaging cells bearing the selected receptor, and providing gene replacement therapy to cells bearing the selected receptor.