A packaging cell line for lentivirus vectors

J Virol. 1999 Jan;73(1):576-84. doi: 10.1128/JVI.73.1.576-584.1999.

Abstract

Lentivirus vectors can transduce dividing and nondividing cells. Using three-plasmid transient transfections, high-titer (>10(9) IU/ml) recombinant lentivirus vectors pseudotyped with vesicular stomatitis virus G (VSV-G) protein can be generated (T. Kafri et al., Nat. Genet. 17:314-317, 1997; H. Miyoshi et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94:10319-10323, 1997; L. Naldini et al., Science 272:263-267, 1996). The recombinant lentiviruses can efficiently infect brain, liver, muscle, and retinal tissue in vivo. Furthermore, the transduced tissues demonstrated long-term expression of reporter genes in immunocompetent rodents. We now report the generation of a tetracycline-inducible VSV-G pseudotyped lentivirus packaging cell line which can generate virus particles at titers greater than 10(6) IU/ml for at least 3 to 4 days. The vector produced by the inducible cell line can be concentrated to titers of 10(9) IU/ml and can efficiently transduce nondividing cells in vitro and in vivo. The availability of a lentivirus packaging cell line will significantly facilitate the production of high-titer lentivirus vectors for gene therapy and study of human immunodeficiency virus biology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Butyrates / pharmacology
  • Cell Line
  • Female
  • Genetic Vectors*
  • HIV Long Terminal Repeat
  • Lentivirus / genetics
  • Lentivirus / physiology*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred F344
  • Tetracycline / pharmacology
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / genetics*
  • Virus Assembly*

Substances

  • Butyrates
  • G protein, vesicular stomatitis virus
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • Tetracycline