This suggests that IFI16 has a nuanced role in the regulation of HSV-1 genes and may be useful for HSV-1 at early times p.i. Perhaps its viral gene repression activity facilitates HSV-1 replication, in vivo, by preventing uncontrolled viral replication and undue stress on host cells and the infection microenvironment, which may expedite immune cell recruitment. The gene discussed is IFI16; the disease is infection.