title: Human JC virus-like particles as a gene delivery vector.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As a viral gene delivery vector, the recombinant JC virus-like particles (VLPs) can be easily generated in large quantities and at low cost. Exogenous genes of interest can be packaged by the VLP without the involvement of viral genetic material and then delivered into any tissue susceptible to JC virus (JCV) to allow gene transduction. Therefore, it should be possible in the future to develop a gene delivery vector using the human JC VLPs that will allow gene therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Development of a gene delivery vector using the polyomavirus VLPs is reviewed in this article. The advantages and disadvantages of using JC VLP for gene delivery are discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Human JC VLPs are readily produced and can be engineered with ease; they allow specific targeting without the presence of any viral genetic material. For therapeutic purposes, gene(s) of interest or other compounds can be packaged into the VLP and delivered to JCV-susceptible cells at high efficiency.
authors.affiliation: National Chung Cheng University, Institute of Molecular Biology, 168, University Road, Min-Hsiung, Chiayi 621, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chi-Fang
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Meilin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wei-Chih
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Ou
authors.forename: Pei-Lain
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Cheng-Huang
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Paul Yann
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Chiung-Yao
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Deching
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007577:JC Virus / Q000235:genetics*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy*; D014771:Virion / Q000502:physiology*