title: [Vesicular stomatitis virus G-protein retrovector mediated a herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene transduction and expression in the human retinal pigment epithelial cells].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase suicide gene (HSV-TK) was delivered to the human retinal pigment epithelial cell (RPE) by a new vesicular stomatitis virus G protein (VSV-G) retroviral vector. The growth inhibitory effects of ganciclovir on VSV-G/HSV-TK transfected RPE were studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  A VSV-G retrovirus-packaging cell line 293GPG was transferred with retroviral vector plasmas bearing HSV-TK (G1NaCTK) or galactosidase (LacZ gene, G1BgSvNa) to produce a 293GPG/TK cell line or a 293GPG/LacZ cell line, respectively. LacZ activity was assessed following transduction of CRL2302 cells. HSV-TK transfected RPE and NIH3T3 cells (at different titer levels) were treated with ganciclovir. The growth inhibitory effects of ganciclovir on various cell lines were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The titer of VSV-G/HSV-TK concentration was 1.2 x 10(8) cfu/ml. At a high titer (MOI = 200), the efficiency of LacZ gene transfer in CRL2302 cells was 58%. Ganciclovir inhibited the growth of cells transfected by HSV-TK. The maximum inhibitory rate (45%) was obtained at cells with a high titer (MOI = 200).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggested that VSV-G/LacZ and VSV-G/HSV-TK retroviral vectors are highly efficient for in vitro delivery and stable expression of genes in NIH3T3 cells and human RPE cells. The cells modified by HSV-TK gene are very sensitive to ganciclovir and the cell growth can be inhibited by ganciclovir.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai First Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200080, China. milwang@public7.sta.net.cn
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hong-wei
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Da-ru
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Jing-lun
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Xi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000201:enzymology; D013937:Thymidine Kinase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014161:Transduction, Genetic; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C028391:G protein, vesicular stomatitis virus; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; D013937:Thymidine Kinase