A packaging cell line for lentivirus vectors

T Kafri, H van Praag, L Ouyang, FH Gage… - Journal of …, 1999 - Am Soc Microbiol
T Kafri, H van Praag, L Ouyang, FH Gage, IM Verma
Journal of virology, 1999Am Soc Microbiol
Lentivirus vectors can transduce dividing and nondividing cells. Using three-plasmid
transient transfections, high-titer (> 109 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 …
Abstract
Lentivirus vectors can transduce dividing and nondividing cells. Using three-plasmid transient transfections, high-titer (>109 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 106 IU/ml for at least 3 to 4 days. The vector produced by the inducible cell line can be concentrated to titers of 109 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.
American Society for Microbiology