A
viral tegument or
tegument, more commonly known as a
viral matrix, is a cluster of proteins that lines the space between the envelope and
nucleocapsid of all
herpesviruses. The tegument generally contains proteins that aid in viral
DNA replication and evasion of the
immune response, typically with inhibition of signalling in the immune system and activation of
interferons. The tegument is usually released shortly after infection into the
cytoplasm. These proteins are usually formed within the late phase of the viral infectious cycle, after viral genes have been replicated. Much information regarding viral teguments has been gathered from studying
Herpes simplex virus.