Gene transfer into mammalian cells using a self-deleting avian leukemia and sarcoma virus-based vector.
OBJECTIVE
We have previously described an avian leukemia and sarcoma virus-based vector containing an additional att sequence in an internal position that is capable of self-deleting most of its 5' viral sequences during one cycle of replication in avian cells [Virus Res 2008;135:72-82; Arch Virol 2008;153:2233-2243]. Herein, our aim was to test the infectivity and self-deleting properties of this avian retroviral vector in human cells.


METHODS
Human Hela cells transiently expressing the cellular receptor for avian leukemia and sarcoma viruses (tva) were infected with the avian vector. Molecular analyses of thirteen clones were performed.


RESULTS
Data showed that more than 77% of proviruses had lost the 5' part of their genome including the selectable gene. At least 61% of these proviruses were flanked on the left by the additional att sequence and on the right by the LTR. None of the thirteen proviruses was able to express a full-length genomic RNA.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that the self-deleting properties of the avian vector in avian cells may be also applicable to human cells.
Torne-Celer
Caroline
C
Université de Lyon, Lyon, France.
Moreau
Karen
K
Faure
Claudine
C
Verdier
Gérard
G
Ronfort
Corinne
C