Chapter 4. Lentiviral Vectors
- Anthony Meager
Published Online: 10 DEC 2001
DOI: 10.1002/0470842385.ch4
Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Book Title
Gene Therapy Technologies, Applications and Regulations: From Laboratory to Clinic
Additional Information
How to Cite
Lever, A. M.L. (2001) Lentiviral Vectors, in Gene Therapy Technologies, Applications and Regulations: From Laboratory to Clinic (ed A. Meager), John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, Chichester, UK. doi: 10.1002/0470842385.ch4
Editor Information
Division of Immunobiology, The National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, South Mimms, UK
Publication History
- Published Online: 10 DEC 2001
- Published Print: 17 SEP 1999
ISBN Information
Print ISBN: 9780471967095
Online ISBN: 9780470842386
- Summary
- Chapter
Keywords:
- lentivirus;
- HIV;
- inducible expression;
- homologous recombination;
- viral titre;
- envelope protein;
- co-transfection;
- packaging cell
Summary
Lentiviruses are a subfamily of retroviruses infecting primate and non-primate hosts. They have multiple spliced RNA species and several small regulatory proteins that allow sophisticated control of the viral replicative process. Advantages of lentiviruses as vectors include their ability to target quiescent cells plus the feasibility of high-level inducible expression of the target gene. The disadvantages are the danger of homologous recombination producing an infectious virus and the low viral titre. RNA packaging in HIV appears to be more promiscuous than in murine or avian retroviral systems: the controlling factors remain unclear. One approach invokes envelope protein complementation but this is not suitable for use in humans. Co-transfection can be employed with independent vector and packaging constructs or even with three plasmids simultaneously. Many lentiviral proteins are difficult to express stably in certain cells, a problem that may be overcome through modification of the packaging cells.