title: Retrovirus molecular conjugates.
abstract: Retrovirus-derived vectors are currently the preferred vectors used for human gene therapy protocols. Serious safety concerns persist, however, which are specifically related to the formation of a replication-competent virus, and no synthesis method currently employed precludes its formation with certainty. For many cell types, a low transduction efficiency results in insufficient therapeutic benefit. We describe the development of a molecular conjugate system, which permits transient chemical modification of a retrovirus with polylysine. This modification not only introduces additional safety features over standard unmodified retrovirus vectors, but also provides enhanced transduction efficiency.
authors.affiliation: Gene Therapy Program, and Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University, Health Sciences Center of New Orleans, 533 Bolivar St. CSRB 611, New Orleans, Lousiana 70112, USA.
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kolls
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schwarzenberger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D011107:Polylysine / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014161:Transduction, Genetic
chemical_list: D011107:Polylysine